HUBLI: Illegal miners have been looting second grade iron ore in Kappata hill region of Gadag district and transporting it to Bellary to mix with high quality ore.In the wake of the recent increased vigil on illegal mining activities in Bellary district, iron ore thieves are now concentrating on low quality iron ore. Over 33,000 hectares in Kappata hill region, including Gadag, Shirahatti and Mundaragi taluks, have rich deposits of 35 to 40 per cent graded iron ore. The area also has several valuable medicinal and herbal plants.
Any mining or deforestation activity is banned in surrounding villages like Kadakol, Singatarayanakeri Tanda, Hirewaddatti, Shirahatti, Beladadi, Papanashi Tanda and Kadampur, while the hills is declared as a reserved forest.The ore 'thieves' came to know about the low grade ore deposits in Gadag district some time ago when the illegal mining was at its peak in Bellary region. They started looting the ore deposits in Kappata hills with the help of local politicians. Usually, above 63 per cent graded ore is considered export quality. The ore extracted in Gadag is transported to Bellary via MevundiBaradur route of Mundaragi taluk, which does not connect with any of the national or state highways, up to Hospet. Administration ActsAccording to sources, Gadag district administration seized iron ore worth Rs 3 crore in the past three months.
While the seized ore was stored at Papanashi Tanda stockyard, the illegal miners are said to have attempted to loot it. However, the alert forest officials stymied their attempt. The forest officials seized seven tippers with the illegal ore being transported to Bellary via MevundiBaradur. Mundaragi range forest officer VH Parimal told Express that the ore thieves have been transporting low graded ore without any permit and they looted ore from the stock yard of district administration on Saturday also.
sourced The New Indian Express
Any mining or deforestation activity is banned in surrounding villages like Kadakol, Singatarayanakeri Tanda, Hirewaddatti, Shirahatti, Beladadi, Papanashi Tanda and Kadampur, while the hills is declared as a reserved forest.The ore 'thieves' came to know about the low grade ore deposits in Gadag district some time ago when the illegal mining was at its peak in Bellary region. They started looting the ore deposits in Kappata hills with the help of local politicians. Usually, above 63 per cent graded ore is considered export quality. The ore extracted in Gadag is transported to Bellary via MevundiBaradur route of Mundaragi taluk, which does not connect with any of the national or state highways, up to Hospet. Administration ActsAccording to sources, Gadag district administration seized iron ore worth Rs 3 crore in the past three months.
While the seized ore was stored at Papanashi Tanda stockyard, the illegal miners are said to have attempted to loot it. However, the alert forest officials stymied their attempt. The forest officials seized seven tippers with the illegal ore being transported to Bellary via MevundiBaradur. Mundaragi range forest officer VH Parimal told Express that the ore thieves have been transporting low graded ore without any permit and they looted ore from the stock yard of district administration on Saturday also.
sourced The New Indian Express
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