Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided not to renew 6 non-Iron ore mining leases including the Kamarda Chrome mines of B C Mohanty. It has also directed the lessees to stop mining at these mines.
The other five mines are Tata Steel’s Gomardih Dolomite mines, Dunguri Limestone mines of ACC Cement, one Limestone mines of BSL and two Limestone mines of V K Lal.
These mines have been directed to closed as per the amended rules of Mineral Concession Rules (1960) notified by the central government on 18 Jul, 2014. As per the rules, no mines will be renewed, which are running under second and subsequent renewal or running for more than 40 years. Accordingly, the state government has issued orders to the director of mines to stop these 6 mines.
The order will not have any immediate effects on the Kamarda Chromite mines held by B C Mohanty, as the mine has been closed since May, 2014. However, with this order, mine would be shutdown permanently. The mine produced 70,386 MT of Chromite ore between the period of Jan’13 to Oct’13.
Will Merchant Iron Ore Mines go in the same Direction?
A big question arises – will the state government not renew the leases of Iron ore mines, which have been closed since May, 2014 because of 2nd deemed renewal. Sources close to this matter mentioned that the state government is waiting for the Supreme Court’s direction, which will be based on CEC’s report.
Recently, Jharkhand government has issued notice to 12 Iron ore miners running under 2nd deemed renewal.
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