Post News Network, Bhubaneswar, Feb 3: With the new mining ordinance having a provision of extending operation of non-captive mines till March 2020, the Eastern Zone Mining Association (EZMA) Tuesday urged state government to expedite the process of opening 18 merchant mines. The mines were closed in May last year following a Supreme Court verdict.
“The mining ordinance promulgated by the Centre allows the operation of the non-captive mines to March 2020. So the state government should expedite the process of examining the statutory clearances of the closed mines and recommend the operation of eligible mines,” said EZMA secretary Prabodh Mohanty after meeting Chief Secretary GC Pati here this afternoon.
The Supreme Court, in its verdict May 16 last year had asked the state government to stop mining operation in 26 captive and non-captive iron ore and manganese ore mines that were waiting for second and subsequent renewal.
Stating that automatic renewal of mines lease after 20 years of first renewal was illegal, the apex court had also asked to examine their clearances before subsequent renewal of their lease. However, the government allowed operation of eight mines of Tata steel, SAIL and Orissa Mining Corporation through express order.
However, it had not taken any decision on the rest 18 mines considered merchant. Recently the state government had planned for their second auction. However, the new MMDR act allowed extending the lease period of such non-captive mines till 2020.
Considering this the EZMA submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary and said, “In view of the MMDR Ordinance, 2015, we would request that these mines should be allowed to resume operation at the earliest.”
Mohanty said that the chief secretary has assured all government help once the rules of the ordinance are framed.