Orissa continues crackdown on illegal mining

Continuing its crackdown on illegal mining, the Orissa government on Wednesday ordered suspension of work in 59 more mines, taking the total number of mines served such notices this month to 128.

''They have been asked to stop operations because they do not possess various statutory requirements they are supposed to have,'' said steel and mines secretary Ashok Mohadeo Rao Dalwai. The statutory requirements include mining licence, and environmental clearances from the state pollution control board.

''Of the 128 mines, 50 are iron ore and manganese ore mines. They have to obtain and produce those things (papers related to their clearances). If they get back with all the required papers, we will allow them to restart operations,' Dalwai said.

One of the largest mineral-bearing states in India, Orissa has approximately 600 official mines, with over 2,400 people work in them. Almost 17 per cent of the nation's mineral reserves lie in the state.

The state government started an investigation in July following allegations by politicians that some mines were operating without licences. Earlier this month, the government ordered suspension of work in 69 mines and suspension of licences of many traders of different ores after they failed to produce documents to show that their mining activities were legal. (See:Orissa intensifies action against illegal mines) 

Dalwai said the number of traders whose licences have been placed under suspension is 482. These include 78 producers of non-iron minerals such as mica and limestone. But he added that Orissa's total iron ore production may not be affected as other producers will increase output.