Keonjhar: Minor minerals are excavated from 60 quarries in Keonjhar district. Though statutory permissions from various departments have been taken, in fact, there are lapses in the operation of the quarries.
In reality, minerals are not quarried as per mining plans. In view of this, the kind of disaster that took place at the Boriput stone quarry in Koraput district can happen in any of the mines here as mining plans have been thrown to the winds.
Though mining is here fraught with grave risks, the district administration is yet to wake up. No regular check of mining operations is carried out here, it is alleged.
Leaseholders usually operate mines after obtaining a mining plan from the mines department and the deputy director of geology.
In the past, several mishaps have taken place inside illegal stone and murram quarries and many lives have been lost. Despite mining mishaps the district administration has not taken any measures.
As per the mining plan, a quarry is supposed to be excavated up to six-metre depth from the ground. But, many mines have been dug more than 50 metres deep. Such mines are found at Tulasi Choura in Keonjhar tehsil and Shagadapata in Harichandanpur tehsil.
As per the mining plan, big pits are supposed to be filled up, but in most cases, quarries are left open, posing a danger to wild and domestic animals. Even minerals are mined beyond the demarcated area and excessive mining has become common. But there is no monitoring to check irregularities. As a result, the government is losing huge revenue.
Quarrying has taken a toll on the environment too. Guidelines mandate tree plantations around quarries, but this is not followed. Many mines are not in safe zones.
Mining officer DC Sahu said he has not approved the mining plans of leaseholders. Only the geology department can approve mining plans.
Deputy director of Joda mining circle SK Nayak said 20 leaseholders have got their mining plans approved. The tehsil can act against leaseholders carrying out quarrying without mining approval, he added.
The geology department has approved about 60 mines in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts, it was learnt.
PNN