Already hit by a series of illegal mining scams, Odisha government this time does not want to take any risk before allowing opening of more mines for operation. Therefore, the Department of Steel & Mines (DoSM) has decided to create a Cell in ORSAC for regular monitoring of the Google Earth images of all its leasehold areas.
Google Earth, a virtual globe program, is in use for monitoring of mining activities in various parts of the country. This is used to know whether the mining activities are carried out within the stipulated boundary or not. In fact, the Tamil Nadu government has developed software for monitoring the operations in its lease hold areas and it has proved to be beneficial for the state. So, it has been decided to get in touch with the Tamil Nadu government to have the modus operandi in handling the Google Earth Solutions for mining operation monitoring, said a senior official in DoSM.
Director of Mines will be meeting the senior officials of the Department of Geology & Mining of the Tamil Nadu government soon, said sources. Once details are obtained, the Google Earth system will be adopted with the Integrated Mines and Minerals Management System (i3MS), which is implemented in the Mineral Sector, admit sources.
Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) exercise, which is taken up in various mines by ORSAC, had furnished a detailed report to the DoSM, which is being now deliberated upon, said sources. DGPS exercise will be taken up in 148 Iron & Manganese ore mines and also in the mines of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), said an official.
Leave a Reply