Koraput: Kodingamala mine in Rayagada is going to be expanded. Public hearing on the project expansion will be held November 25. After protests by locals, the admin decided to hold another public hearing December 2 at Podapadi in Rayagada. However, locals have opposed the project and termed it illegal.
OMC on behalf of the state government will conduct the public hearings.
A delegation of Kodingamali Anchalbasi Sangha has submitted a memorandum to the district administration in this regard. The Sangha activists said that the mining expansion is illegal as mineral extraction in the forest land requires consent of the Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha as per the Forest Protection Act.
Besides, another outfit Kodingamala Surakhya Manch has assured support to the Sangha.
The Manch said that the state government has announced January 9 to set up an aluminum plant at Kansariguda. The Manch demanded that the administration after holding a public hearing on the project should only proceed.
PNN