Mining companies in Karnataka had their fingers crossed as Supreme Court had to take up the Karnataka mining ban case on the August 31 and there is hope that the ban on category ‘A’ mines could be lifted. But hearing has been postponed to Monday.
It's been a year since the Supreme Court banned mining in Karnataka and it's been a year of ups and downs for the mining companies involved.
Sources say that there are 43 mines which come under category A and A1, out of which 18 mines have got all the clearances and can start operations after final hearing by Supreme Court.Rest of the other mines have to wait till they get all the clearances which might take another six months.
Now in April this year, there was some hope with the apex court saying mining in Karnataka can resume once the reclamation and rehabilitation or (R&R) plan gets approved by the central empowered committee, subject to other forest and environmental clearances, the industry thought this was a final go-ahead from the Supreme Court but its last hearing on 23rd August seems to have overridden this.
Industry experts still feel that there is lack of clarity on what basis ore will be sold, if it is e-auction then who would decide the base price.
We have to wait till Monday, September 3rd to get further clarification on Karnataka mining case.
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