SC lifts ban on iron mining in Karnataka

The Supreme Court on Monday lifted its ban on iron ore mining in Karnataka, allowing 18 mines to restart their operations in 3 districts of Karnataka. Considering the issues of corruption surrounding across iron ore business, the apex court had banned mining for environmental concerns last year. The reason was that some of the mining companies had not followed the lease conditions.

But now, after a deferral of 13 months, the SC has lifted the ban on operations of mines along with some of the rules and conditions. A forest bench including 3 judges, headed by Justice Aftab Alam accepted the report of its Central Empowered Committee (CEC). According to the orders of the bench the operations of the 18 mines which were in ‘A’ category are to be resumed. The committee ordered that the production of mines should not cross the limit of 5 million tonnes a year and the works of mines should not harm the environment.

Last year, SC banned mining operations of 24 mines in Bellary, Chithradurga and Thumkur districts which were in ‘A’ category. Now with the SC’s verdict, 18 mines will resume their operations while remaining six will remain shut down as they didn’t get nod from the apex court. R.K Sharma, the secretary general of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries told that other category mines also will get openings soon.

S.R. Heerematt who has been fighting against illegal mining in the court of law told TSI, “I don’t have complete information about SC order yet. I don’t know SC’s terms and conditions for lifting ban on the operations of certain mines. In fact, when we provided the SC with proofs to establish our allegation of illegal mining, the SC was shocked. Now we have to see on what terms and conditions the SC has lifted the ban. Only two judges have signed the present order. We will get clear information by evening. Still I hope that we will get justice. We have been fighting against illegal mining and not the legal ones. Our fight against illegal mining will continue.”