OMC seeks easing of clearances for mines exploration

Faced with
criticism for its inability to operate all mining leases, state controlled firm
Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has pleaded to the Shah Commission of enquiry
to help ease clearance procedures for exploration of mines.

OMC argued
that delay in obtaining forest clearance was hindering exploration work. The
state PSU currently has 21 leases of which only few are in operations.

“The
commission asked us why we are not carrying out exploration on the balance
leases. We explained to them that during exploration, if more bore holes needed
to be dug beyond the permissible limit, forest clearance was mandatory. Getting
forest clearances usually takes two to three years and this has hindered our
exploration work. We have suggested that if forest clearance is not made
mandatory for digging bore holes, the lessees can know where the the minerals
are available within a lease area. For example, OMC surrendered around 700
hectares of forest land after exploration at Daitari mines. We have pleaded for
simplified clearance procedure for mines exploration and the commission has
asked us to submit a representation in this regard”, said Saswat Mishra,
chairman and managing director (CMD), OMC.

The
commission had called the OMC authorities for hearing on Saturday for further
information and clarification on the status of its 21 leases including the
discrepancies observed in DGPS (differential global positioning system) maps
and the ones prepared by the lessees based on the cadastral maps of the revenue
department.

“The
commission has asked us to furnish details of 4-5 mines where major variations
have been noted. As desired by the commission, OMC is ready to pay Rs four lakh
per sq km for having a detailed mapping of the lease area”, said Mishra.

On questions
raised by the panel as to why OMC was sitting over so many leases, he said, “We
are operating three leases- Daitari, Khandadhar and Gandhamardhan at almost
full capacity. These leases have 90 per cent of mineral deposits among all our
leases. We are unable to operate the remaining leases because of pending forest
and environment clearances.”

Reported by: Tapan Moharana