Wednesday, 25 Jan 2012
PTI reported that seven persons were arrested for illegally transporting iron ore and metal scraps in Orissa's Sundargarh district.
Three persons were arrested from Ranisala village under Koida police limit for illegal transportation of iron ore from Koida mines area last night.
Police said that altogether 25 tonnes of iron ore stocked in Patabeda forest under Koida police limit were also seized.
Four others were arrested from Kuanramunda and Rajgangpur and a metal scrap loaded minitruck and stocked scraps were seized from a godown under Rajgangpur police limit last night.
(Sourced from PTI)
Showing posts with label ban on transportation of iron ore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ban on transportation of iron ore. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, December 26, 2011
Orissa likely to go Bellary way
Monday, 26 Dec 2011
ET reported that Karnataka scenario may now be repeated in Orissa, which produces a third of the country's iron ore and where a state government team is investigating cases of mining contractors taking out and shipping ore illegally.
The culprit in both cases seems to be the abuse of 'raising contracts', agreements between mine owners and operators permitting an individual or a group of individuals owning a mine to outsource the extraction and sale of ore to a third party with expertise.
A pattern similar to Karnataka has been now noted by Orissa officials in the state. Rule 37 of the Mineral Concessions Rules, 1968, permit raising contracts but without the transfer of ownership and financial control of the mine. But in Keonjhar and other districts of Orissa, that is exactly what seems to have happened. The state government suspects some contractors took over mines and shared profits with the original lease holder.
A senior Orissa official of the mines ministry told ET recently that "Our team has submitted a report on eight such mines which we are studying. We have sent notices to three miners and will be auditing some more.”
Eight more are to be scrutinized for similar violations.
One of Keonjhar's older miners said that “It suits lease holders who have been living far from the mines. They could make money without lifting a finger.”
The Justice Shah Commission, which is examining the illegalities in iron ore and manganese mining across the country, also visited some of these mines during its recent trip to the Joda-Barbil area in Keonjhar. The Shah Commission officials specifically wanted to know the nature of the mine's arrangement with the contractor and the question of control.
(Sourced from ET)
ET reported that Karnataka scenario may now be repeated in Orissa, which produces a third of the country's iron ore and where a state government team is investigating cases of mining contractors taking out and shipping ore illegally.
The culprit in both cases seems to be the abuse of 'raising contracts', agreements between mine owners and operators permitting an individual or a group of individuals owning a mine to outsource the extraction and sale of ore to a third party with expertise.
A pattern similar to Karnataka has been now noted by Orissa officials in the state. Rule 37 of the Mineral Concessions Rules, 1968, permit raising contracts but without the transfer of ownership and financial control of the mine. But in Keonjhar and other districts of Orissa, that is exactly what seems to have happened. The state government suspects some contractors took over mines and shared profits with the original lease holder.
A senior Orissa official of the mines ministry told ET recently that "Our team has submitted a report on eight such mines which we are studying. We have sent notices to three miners and will be auditing some more.”
Eight more are to be scrutinized for similar violations.
One of Keonjhar's older miners said that “It suits lease holders who have been living far from the mines. They could make money without lifting a finger.”
The Justice Shah Commission, which is examining the illegalities in iron ore and manganese mining across the country, also visited some of these mines during its recent trip to the Joda-Barbil area in Keonjhar. The Shah Commission officials specifically wanted to know the nature of the mine's arrangement with the contractor and the question of control.
(Sourced from ET)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Transportation time being extended
Tuesday, 22 Nov 2011
BS reported that Karnataka state government likely to widen window for transporting iron ore purchased at the electronic auctions.
Presently, the Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the auctions, has restricted the transportation of iron ore to 12 hours, from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Mr Vinod Nowal CEO and director of JSW Steel Limited said that “The Karnataka steel manufacturers association had requested the state government to permit the movement of iron ore round the clock. Considering that the delay in the transport of iron ore is affecting production, the committee has agreed to extend the timings from the present 12 hours to 16 hours.”
He said that the matter is before the chief minister of Karnataka, Mr DV Sadananda Gowda for his approval.
He said that “Unless the government allows transportation of the raw material round the clock, it would be difficult to maintain the production levels and we cannot shut down the furnaces.”
Mr Nowal said that of the 4.4 million tonnes of iron ore won by JSW at the E auctions, the company could hardly move 1.2 million tonnes due to the restrictions.
As per the new system drawn up by the state’s Department of Mines and Geology, the successful bidders are issued bulk permits after they pay the royalty, forest development tax and VAT for the ore won at the auctions. Subsequently, they have to get their respective holograms and tripsheets from the deputy director of mines and geology before loading the ore. They can then secure the forest permit from the department of forests before moving the material to their respective steel mills.
(Sourced from BS)
BS reported that Karnataka state government likely to widen window for transporting iron ore purchased at the electronic auctions.
Presently, the Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the auctions, has restricted the transportation of iron ore to 12 hours, from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Mr Vinod Nowal CEO and director of JSW Steel Limited said that “The Karnataka steel manufacturers association had requested the state government to permit the movement of iron ore round the clock. Considering that the delay in the transport of iron ore is affecting production, the committee has agreed to extend the timings from the present 12 hours to 16 hours.”
He said that the matter is before the chief minister of Karnataka, Mr DV Sadananda Gowda for his approval.
He said that “Unless the government allows transportation of the raw material round the clock, it would be difficult to maintain the production levels and we cannot shut down the furnaces.”
Mr Nowal said that of the 4.4 million tonnes of iron ore won by JSW at the E auctions, the company could hardly move 1.2 million tonnes due to the restrictions.
As per the new system drawn up by the state’s Department of Mines and Geology, the successful bidders are issued bulk permits after they pay the royalty, forest development tax and VAT for the ore won at the auctions. Subsequently, they have to get their respective holograms and tripsheets from the deputy director of mines and geology before loading the ore. They can then secure the forest permit from the department of forests before moving the material to their respective steel mills.
(Sourced from BS)
Monday, August 22, 2011
SC panel calls for ban on all private mining in Karnataka
Monday, 22 Aug 2011
TOI reported that Central Empowered Committee, an environmental panel that reports directly to the Supreme Court, on Friday recommended a complete ban on iron ore mining in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka, which border the now notorious Bellary district.
Agreeing with the state lokayukta, the anti corruption watchdog, the CEC filed a report before the apex court that said large scale and reckless mining was being carried out in these districts, particularly by private companies, seriously destroying the environment.
A three judge green bench headed by Chief Justice of India Mr SH Kapadia and including justices Mr Aftab Alam and Mr Swatanter Kumar sought the response of the union and the state government, as the CEC said mining was being conducted in an environmentally unsustainable manner for short-term gains.
The committee said much forest had been lost due to illegal mining of iron ore over 2,678 hectares in Tumkur and Chitradurga, with illegal mining and production in excess of the size of lease.
The report said that ''This court's July 29th order, by which mining operations have been suspended in Bellary, may be extended in respect of the mining leases in districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga.”
Submitting the CEC's report to the court, amicus curiae ADN Rao said the adverse impact on the environment in these two districts was identical to that seen in Bellary and advocated controlled mining as has been ordered by the apex court in Bellary.
This could in effect mean that all mining by private companies in Karnataka will be banned. In Bellary, after the Supreme Court order, mining is done only by state-run companies, and is meant to meet the requirement of the domestic steel industry, as export of iron ore has also been banned by the state government.
(sourced from TOI)
TOI reported that Central Empowered Committee, an environmental panel that reports directly to the Supreme Court, on Friday recommended a complete ban on iron ore mining in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka, which border the now notorious Bellary district.
Agreeing with the state lokayukta, the anti corruption watchdog, the CEC filed a report before the apex court that said large scale and reckless mining was being carried out in these districts, particularly by private companies, seriously destroying the environment.
A three judge green bench headed by Chief Justice of India Mr SH Kapadia and including justices Mr Aftab Alam and Mr Swatanter Kumar sought the response of the union and the state government, as the CEC said mining was being conducted in an environmentally unsustainable manner for short-term gains.
The committee said much forest had been lost due to illegal mining of iron ore over 2,678 hectares in Tumkur and Chitradurga, with illegal mining and production in excess of the size of lease.
The report said that ''This court's July 29th order, by which mining operations have been suspended in Bellary, may be extended in respect of the mining leases in districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga.”
Submitting the CEC's report to the court, amicus curiae ADN Rao said the adverse impact on the environment in these two districts was identical to that seen in Bellary and advocated controlled mining as has been ordered by the apex court in Bellary.
This could in effect mean that all mining by private companies in Karnataka will be banned. In Bellary, after the Supreme Court order, mining is done only by state-run companies, and is meant to meet the requirement of the domestic steel industry, as export of iron ore has also been banned by the state government.
(sourced from TOI)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Bellary mining ban hits Indian Railways earnings
Wednesday, 17 Aug 2011
BS reported that Indian Railway earnings will take a hit of about INR 600 crore in the wake of Supreme Court’s decision to suspend mining operations in Bellary.
The railways have already scaled down its budgeted target for 115 million tonnes iron ore loading in 2011-12 by 3.43 million tonnes. The current potential would have to be further scaled down by approximately 10 million tonnes.
A senior ministry official said that the iron ore movement was earlier expected to bring in INR 9,035.31 crore during 2011-12, forming almost 13% of the overall budgeted freight target of INR 68,620 crore.
According to senior officials in the Railway Board, iron ore loading from Bellary declined 30% to around 16 million tonnes in 2010-11 from 23 million tonnes in 2009-10. Iron ore from the region, in fact, constituted 17% of the total iron ore loading in 2009-10 but fell to almost 13% in 2010-11. This year from April to June, only 3.25 million tonnes iron ore was loaded from the area.
Efforts will be made to load all other commodities to compensate for the shortfall, according to senior officials in the Railway Board. The district of Bellary produces about 35 million tonnes of iron ore annually, about 83% of Karnataka’s total annual production of 42 million tonnes.
Owing to ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka in 2010, there has been a loss of INR 1,071.45 crore to the Indian Railways. The earnings from iron ore exports in Karnataka plunged from INR 1,770.59 crore in 2009-10 to INR 699.14 crore in 2010-11.
According to a Comptroller and Auditor General report, “The annual growth rate of loading in the past decade consistently showed an upward trend till 2005-06 after which, there was a decline.”
(sourced BS)
BS reported that Indian Railway earnings will take a hit of about INR 600 crore in the wake of Supreme Court’s decision to suspend mining operations in Bellary.
The railways have already scaled down its budgeted target for 115 million tonnes iron ore loading in 2011-12 by 3.43 million tonnes. The current potential would have to be further scaled down by approximately 10 million tonnes.
A senior ministry official said that the iron ore movement was earlier expected to bring in INR 9,035.31 crore during 2011-12, forming almost 13% of the overall budgeted freight target of INR 68,620 crore.
According to senior officials in the Railway Board, iron ore loading from Bellary declined 30% to around 16 million tonnes in 2010-11 from 23 million tonnes in 2009-10. Iron ore from the region, in fact, constituted 17% of the total iron ore loading in 2009-10 but fell to almost 13% in 2010-11. This year from April to June, only 3.25 million tonnes iron ore was loaded from the area.
Efforts will be made to load all other commodities to compensate for the shortfall, according to senior officials in the Railway Board. The district of Bellary produces about 35 million tonnes of iron ore annually, about 83% of Karnataka’s total annual production of 42 million tonnes.
Owing to ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka in 2010, there has been a loss of INR 1,071.45 crore to the Indian Railways. The earnings from iron ore exports in Karnataka plunged from INR 1,770.59 crore in 2009-10 to INR 699.14 crore in 2010-11.
According to a Comptroller and Auditor General report, “The annual growth rate of loading in the past decade consistently showed an upward trend till 2005-06 after which, there was a decline.”
(sourced BS)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Administration seizes iron ore in Bellary
Monday, 01 Aug 2011| By PTI
PTI reported that continuing its crackdown on illegal transport of iron ore after the Supreme Court ordered suspension of mining operations in the Bellary district, the district administration has seized several consignments of iron ore being transported illegally in the state.
On Saturday, the administration seized 49 trucks illegally transporting iron ore at Alighar on the city outskirts. The district collector said the vehicles apparently belong to Bellary Mining Corporation. He said the truck drivers claimed to have obtained the permit for taking out the iron ore on July 30.
On Sunday the administration seized more consignments. Official sources said personnel from the Revenue and Mines and Geology Department seized iron ore being illegally transported in 24 lorries in Sandur taluk, which belonged to Tomatro Mining company. The company was transporting the ore to Janaki Steels.
Another consignment of the company's 3,800 tonnes, being transported in railway wagons was also seized.
Authorities also seized 3,960 tonnes of iron ore, which was being transported from Mysore Minerals in Sandur to Jindal company in railway wagons and lorries.
On July 29, the Supreme Court had ordered immediate suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district. The court passed the order by taking note of the report of its expert panel, Central Empowered Committee, which said most miners in the region were indulging in illegal mining, causing considerable environmental damage.
PTI reported that continuing its crackdown on illegal transport of iron ore after the Supreme Court ordered suspension of mining operations in the Bellary district, the district administration has seized several consignments of iron ore being transported illegally in the state.
On Saturday, the administration seized 49 trucks illegally transporting iron ore at Alighar on the city outskirts. The district collector said the vehicles apparently belong to Bellary Mining Corporation. He said the truck drivers claimed to have obtained the permit for taking out the iron ore on July 30.
On Sunday the administration seized more consignments. Official sources said personnel from the Revenue and Mines and Geology Department seized iron ore being illegally transported in 24 lorries in Sandur taluk, which belonged to Tomatro Mining company. The company was transporting the ore to Janaki Steels.
Another consignment of the company's 3,800 tonnes, being transported in railway wagons was also seized.
Authorities also seized 3,960 tonnes of iron ore, which was being transported from Mysore Minerals in Sandur to Jindal company in railway wagons and lorries.
On July 29, the Supreme Court had ordered immediate suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district. The court passed the order by taking note of the report of its expert panel, Central Empowered Committee, which said most miners in the region were indulging in illegal mining, causing considerable environmental damage.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Karnataka steel mills likely to face closure - ASSOCHAM
Friday, 20 May 2011
ASSOCHAM release said that major steel mills in Karnataka could soon be forced to close operations due to shortage of iron ore, threatening the livelihood of lakhs of families.
In a release, industry body the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India said that the impact of current crisis stemming from a blanket ban on iron ore mines in the Bellary Hospet region is likely to spread fast to smaller units and leave lakhs of workers jobless.
On May 6th 2011, the Supreme Court asked a team of officials to conduct a joint survey of mining lease areas mentioned in the Lokayukta report.
ASSOCHAM said that "If the joint team concludes that there has been illegal mining in encroached areas, then the lessee will immediately stop all mining operations in the entire demarcated area."
Mr DS Rawat secretary general of ASSOCHAM, in letters to Mr BS Yeddyurappa chief minister of Karnataka and Mr PV Jayakrishnan chairman of the Central Empowered Committee, said that "The Supreme Court has not given any direction to completely stop all mining activity in the district. In fact the apex court has asked to assess the encroachment in a scientific manner without effecting the current operations."
Mr Rawat said that but officials at the Department of Mining and Geology at Hospet have issued closure notices to all mines in the district, severely affecting the functioning of steel industry.
The mines in Karnataka supply iron ore to several large steel plants like JSW, Kirloskar Ferrous, Mukand and Kalyani Steels. The State also supplies raw material to dozens of small and medium sized sponge iron units located in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Steel, iron and other industries have invested close to about INR 70,000 crore in the landlocked Bellary Hospet region, which has abundant availability of iron ore.
Mr Rawat said that "The State finances will be adversely affected as these industries are paying to the tune of INR 8,000 crore a year in the form of excise duty, royalty and value added tax."
ASSOCHAM release said that mining should be moved from unorganized sector to the organized if it is to be done in a legal, scientific and environment friendly manner.
Karnataka accounts for 15 million tonnes of steel production representing 25% of the country's output. Keeping in view the huge investments, employment of lakhs of workers, social responsibilities and dependency of industries on iron ore, the chamber earnestly requested the CEC to ensure uninterrupted availability of iron ore lumps and fines to meet industrial requirement while complying with the Supreme Court order.
Indian iron ore mining mess - Karnataka bans mining
Friday, 20 May 2011
BS reported that Karnataka state government has issued a direction to halt all kind of iron ore mining activities in the Bellary Hospet region for a temporary period.
The department of mines and geology issued a notification to all mining lease holders on May 13th 2011, to shut down all kinds of mining activities, including transportation of mined material.
The action of the DMG came in the wake of the fresh joint survey of 99 mining leases in the district as ordered by the Supreme Court on May 6th 2011.
The apex court had directed for constituting a tripartite committee from an SC panel, DMG and Lokayukta officials to conduct a survey to demarcate the boundaries and assess the extent of encroachments. The team commenced its work from May 16. The DMG, to facilitate the smooth conduct of the fresh survey, has issued orders to mining leaseholders to stop all kinds of mining activities and transportation of ore with immediate effect. It has also asked them to surrender all the mineral dispatch permits and relevant trip sheets until completion of the survey.
Mr DV Pichamuthu director of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries South said “It is very difficult to understand the logic of the mines department. We have been fighting for the last 10 months for restarting exports. Even after the SC directions in favor of the miners, the state government has not started issuing export permits. We are closely watching the situation. All these days, only the mining companies have suffered and the recent move of the state government has hit the steel companies. Let the steel industry take up the issue with the government now.’ (sourced from BS)
BS reported that Karnataka state government has issued a direction to halt all kind of iron ore mining activities in the Bellary Hospet region for a temporary period.
The department of mines and geology issued a notification to all mining lease holders on May 13th 2011, to shut down all kinds of mining activities, including transportation of mined material.
The action of the DMG came in the wake of the fresh joint survey of 99 mining leases in the district as ordered by the Supreme Court on May 6th 2011.
The apex court had directed for constituting a tripartite committee from an SC panel, DMG and Lokayukta officials to conduct a survey to demarcate the boundaries and assess the extent of encroachments. The team commenced its work from May 16. The DMG, to facilitate the smooth conduct of the fresh survey, has issued orders to mining leaseholders to stop all kinds of mining activities and transportation of ore with immediate effect. It has also asked them to surrender all the mineral dispatch permits and relevant trip sheets until completion of the survey.
Mr DV Pichamuthu director of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries South said “It is very difficult to understand the logic of the mines department. We have been fighting for the last 10 months for restarting exports. Even after the SC directions in favor of the miners, the state government has not started issuing export permits. We are closely watching the situation. All these days, only the mining companies have suffered and the recent move of the state government has hit the steel companies. Let the steel industry take up the issue with the government now.’ (sourced from BS)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Indian iron ore mining mess - Goa iron exports may plunge by Karnataka ban
Sunday, 16 Jan 2011
Ban on iron ore transportation from the neighboring Karnataka and truckers' strike at home may reduce the state's iron ore exports this season.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association predicts a downfall OF at least 10% in the iron ore exports, considering the trend till December 2010 when it exported 28 million tonnes of ore against the season's expectation of 53 million tonne exports. Of the total 53 million tonne ore, 45 million tonne was from the 100 local mining leases while the rest was transported from the neighboring state of Karnataka.
GMOEA Secretary Mr Glen Kalavampara told PTI that "Since last two months, there is a ban on transportation of ore from Karnataka. Also, local factors like strike by truckers play a role in adding to the woes.”
The truckers transporting the ore have struck work, demanding higher rates for the transportation.
Sourced from PTI
Ban on iron ore transportation from the neighboring Karnataka and truckers' strike at home may reduce the state's iron ore exports this season.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association predicts a downfall OF at least 10% in the iron ore exports, considering the trend till December 2010 when it exported 28 million tonnes of ore against the season's expectation of 53 million tonne exports. Of the total 53 million tonne ore, 45 million tonne was from the 100 local mining leases while the rest was transported from the neighboring state of Karnataka.
GMOEA Secretary Mr Glen Kalavampara told PTI that "Since last two months, there is a ban on transportation of ore from Karnataka. Also, local factors like strike by truckers play a role in adding to the woes.”
The truckers transporting the ore have struck work, demanding higher rates for the transportation.
Sourced from PTI
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
