CURRENT NEWS

MAY 2010

 

Coalmin rings PM against Ramesh’s ‘no go’ areas

New Delhi, May 31, 2010: With the environment ministry playing the obstructionist by classifying 30% of the area in nine coal fields as “no go” zones for mining, the coal ministry has sought prime ministerial intervention for removing the roadblock. The environment ministry’s classification will put 619 million tonnes of coal production annually out of reach. Coal ministry sources said that it was willing to accept a formulation where a maximum of 15-20% forest is classified as “no go” or out of bounds for mining. But the environment ministry is of the view that a higher concession will not be ecologically sound. “Actually, the coal ministry is demanding almost a 30% increase in go areas in the nine coalfields that have been analysed, but I think that ecologically we cannot justify more than a 5% increase,” environment minister Jairam Ramesh said. The pressure on the environment ministry is substantial. Not only is the coal ministry pushing for a more liberal classification of forest. Its efforts find support from power and several state governments, which have been allocated coal blocks in these fields. Power minister Sushilkumar Shinde has been under constant pressure on account of slow capacity addition. He would oppose such a restriction of mining, too. A higher percentage of out of bound mines would seriously impact the country’s power generation capacity programme — for the Eleventh plan the target is 78,577 mw. Seventy per cent of India’s power sector is fired by coal. State chief ministers have begun ramping up the pressure for clearances for already allocated coal blocks in these fields. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is among those who have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his intervention over a coal block in the Hasdeo Arand field. The coal ministry has also argued that Coal India Limited, a government-run mining agency, has good track record when it comes to reforestation. “CIL mines a little, then undertakes backfilling and plantations. As a matter of fact some of areas replanted by the CIL is now part of the no-go area that the environment ministry is talking about,” a coal sector official said. Of the 619 million tonnes per annum of coal production that is likely to be impacted, 412 MTPA is in CIL areas. The environment ministry is not impressed with the CIL efforts. Sources in the environment ministry said that they were “studying the matter”. While there are “development” concerns that need to met, the more liberal forest policy could also impact India’s bid for higher funding for its afforestation/reforestation and sustainable forest management programme or REDD plus. This has been an important plank of India’s position in climate change negotiations. The nine coalfields that were analysed included North Karanpura and West Bokaro (Jharkhand), IB Valley(Orissa and Chhattisgarh) Singrauli(Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh), Talcher(Orissa), Wardha (Maharashtra), Mandirgarh and Hasdeo (Chhattisgarh) and Shoagpur(Chhattisgarh and MP).

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Coalmin-rings-PM-against-Rameshs-no-go-areas/articleshow/5992717.cms)

IMG to fast-track green nods for coal blocks: PMO

New Delhi, May 31, 2010: Concerned over inordinate delays in according environmental approval to coal projects, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has directed setting up of an inter-ministerial group (IMG) to suggest ways to ensure that clearances from the environment and forests ministry were available before auctioning of coal blocks. In a meeting convened by the PMO on May 21 and chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s principal secretary T K A Nair, senior functionaries of the ministry were told to set up an IMG in consultation with concerned ministries “to suggest a procedure to ensure that necessary clearance from the MoEF is available before the auction or allocation of mining blocks takes place.” The IMG will include representatives from the ministries of coal, mines, environment & forests, power and finance. It will give its recommendations within two months. The PMO asked the ministry to organise “within a fortnight a briefing session for Central/state government and private project proponents, associating the coal ministry and its unit Central Mine Planning & Design Institute in this move,” a source said. Suggesting that this exercise should be completed within one month, the PMO said proposals in accordance with the outcome of the exercise would be submitted within one month thereafter and the ministry will decide on clearance within a month on receipt of the proposals. The PMO also asked the coal and mines ministries to set up technical groups including representatives of MoEF “to make suitable recommendations within two months on framing a set of forest clearance principles/norms in respect of underground mines.” The PMO asked the MoEF to consider the request of Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh for allowing underground mining in some parts of the Hasdeo-Arand coalfields in light of the report of the technical group for such mines,” the source said. It also asked coal and power ministries to jointly formulate an approach in respect of coal linkage from this coalfield for the ultra mega power plants that adequately addressed the wildlife conservation concerns and thereafter approach the MoEF,” the source said. The MoEF is planning to suggest formulation of coal block clusters/sub-clusters for which it is likely to give forest clearance if the overall forest area was less than 30 per cent of the total area and category-wise weighted crown forest area was less than 10 per cent of the total area with conservation of wildlife corridors and biodiversity to be additional relevant factors for forestry clearances.

(Source:http://epaper.indianexpress.com/IE/IEH/2010/05/31/ArticleHtmls/31_05_2010_015_049.shtml?Mode=1)

CIL scouts for 3-D tech for advanced coal hunt

New Delhi, 31, 2010: Coal India (CIL) is eyeing to get advanced coal exploration technologies from countries such as Germany, China, Australia, Canada, the US and UK. The 3-D (three-dimensional) seismic technology has not been used for coal exploration in India so far. CIL seeks to deploy it on pilot basis at a coal block that would be identified later. 3-D technology uses sound waves to form sharp three-dimensional images of underground formations. CIL’s technical director NC Jha told Financial Chronicle over the phone that 3-D technology would be used to decipher the location and quantity of coal available under the earth’s surface. The results would be faster and more accurate than the present way of exploration through digging bore wells or 2-D (two-dimensional) seismic survey for coal deposits, he said. CMPDIL, a wholly-owned research arm of the state-run coal major, has sought an expression of interest (EoI) from international players to outsource coal exploration activities to foreign players with experience in 3-D seismic technology. CMPDIL will float tenders after evaluating the response to the EoI. “In order to optimise cost, reduce time of drilling boreholes and to enhance confidence levels, CMPDIL plans to introduce an integrated exploration programme for coal exploration, including 3-D seismic surveys,” the EoI said. The prime concern for exploration at present is to integrate different technologies with an objective to reduce conventional drilling and save time and expenditure in exploration of coal, it said. At present, about 40 per cent of the total coal resources of the country are in the underproved category. The remaining 60 per cent of the coal resources are underindicated and inferred categories. Through the EoI, CPMDIL has sought information on availability of vendors with experience in implementing coal exploration work, including 3-D seismic surveys, budget estimates, and infrastructure support and manpower requirement. The qualified vendor would be responsible for conducting 3-D seismic surveys, interpreting data acquired and submitting a detailed report to CMPDIL. The overseas company would also be required to impart training to CMPDIL personnel in acquisition, processing and interpretation of 3-D data. In the memorandum of understating signed for the year 2010-11, CMPDIL and CIL agreed to introduce new technology to expedite coal exploration.  During 2009-10, CMPDI carried out about 470,000 metres of exploratory drilling in about 100 mines covering 25 coalfields through 55 departmental drills and contractual agencies. About 2-3 billion tonnes of proved category coal reserves are established every year by CMPDIL through 15-20 geological reports.

(Source:http://www.mydigitalfc.com/companies/cil-scouts-3-d-tech-advanced-coal-hunt-953)

TNR Mines to move SC against survey

Bellary, May 31, 2010: The ongoing survey work of the disputed inter-state borders concerning Andhra pradesh has experienced a set back with Tapal Ganesh of TNR Mines deciding to approach the Supreme Court against the composite survey team. Not satisfied with the kind of survey work undertaken by the survey team, consisting of AP and Karnataka officials, Ganesh said the team led by A K Padha, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India, was involved in safeguarding the interest of Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by minister G Janardhan Reddy. Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he took exception to the treatment of his complaints regarding the survey. He alleged that the minister had booked the entire team and they were acting in his favour. He alleged that the 1975 unsettled map, which the survey team was using to settle borders, was incorrect. With this, the state would lose more land to AP, he said.

(Source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/tnr-mines-to-move-sc-against-survey/177701.html)

Project clearance not an issue, says Baligar

Bengaluru, May 31, 2010: The second edition of the Global Investors Meet on June 3 and 4, after a span of nine years since the first GIM in 2001, will project Karnataka as the land of opportunities for all industrial sectors; from cement to computer chips and from agro-based and infrastructure industries to power, automobile and aerospace in the next three to five years, said principal secretary, commerce and industries, V.P. Baligar, who was commissioner, C&I when the first GIM took place in Karnataka. On the eve of the second GIM, Mr Baligar spoke to Deccan Chronicle about the changing face of the State from an IT, BT hub to an industrial giant in all sectors.

Excerpts:

Several steel majors are willing to invest in Karnataka but want licence for mining iron ore; something which the State has not been able to promise. Jindal, for example, was promised licence for mining in 1999 but is still waiting. How will you address the issue? We have recommended mining leases to Jindal and the proposal has been sent to the Government of India. They are the first steel investors in Karnataka and their need is our priority. Jindal has asked for more; their requirement is 100 million tonne of ore per annum. We will consider their request, keeping in mind the other issues of environment and ecology. Besides Jindal, 250 steel manufacturing companies such as Posco, Tata, NMDC, SAIL among others have shown interest in investing in Karnataka and the permission will be granted to them as per the new mining policy. There will, however, be a clause that they will have to restore mining areas and rejuvenate greenery. Recently, Tata had taken a team of officials to Jamshedpur to show them an area, which was mined earlier and it’s now a thick forest. It was a barren land. We would want an assurance from the steel investors that 45 per cent of the land allotted to them will be used for lung space. You have a single window clearance agency but industries will have to seek statutory clearances from independent departments such Pollution Control Board, KIADB among others, which would be a time consuming affair.  Once the high level committee headed by the Chief Minister approves a project, the rest of the work flow will follow naturally and expeditiously but having said that, investors will have to seek statutory clearances. We will provide them escort officers to guide and help them with the work but there will be no short cuts on issues of environment and ecology. Government has expedited clearances. For instance, the final notification for land acquisition for Arcelor Mittal was issued in four months’ time. In a recent urban development report Mysore was ranked fifth. How are you showcasing the city to your investors? We are acquiring lands for major projects in and around Mysore and we are looking at investments in sugar, textiles, granite and engineering in the region. The Reserve Bank of India is setting up a cotton manufacturing unit to be used as the raw material for currency notes. As of now, the RBI sources the paper for the currency notes from Europe and this is the first such plant in India. They have already acquired land for it. We will sign a MoU with them during the GIM. We have also given land to Nestle between Nanjangud and Mysore for setting up a noodle manufacturing unit.

(Source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/project-clearance-not-issue-says-baligar-378)

Demarcation of mining boundaries almost completed

Bellary, May 30, 2010: The Survey of India has almost completed demarcation of boundaries in the controversial iron ore mining lease areas of Obullapuram even as a mine owner has threatened to move the Supreme Court alleging impartiality in the process. According to sources in the Survey of India, the survey has been completed except for installing permanent rock pillars. Officials have examined 34 reference points set up at various places in Bellary iron ore private limited, Mahabaleshwara and Sons company, Ananthpuram Mining Corporation and Obullapuram mining company through global positioning system, they said. The officials had said that they would submit their report to the Supreme Court after arranging a fence around the mining boundaries. The officials will set up permanent boundary points in Obullapuram area by Tuesday.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/679340_Demarcation-of-mining-boundaries-almost-completed

Mining row: Survey of India fixes boundary points

Bellary, May 30, 2010: The Survey of India has fixed 17 references in mining areas along the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh border to demarcate the boundary line between the two states following a Supreme Court order, officials said.  The officials from Survey of India along with those from the mines and geology and forest departments of the two states inspected Anthargangama hills of Ananthpur district and marked the reference points.  The survey has been completed except for installing permanent rock pillars. Officials have examined 34 reference points set up at various places in Bellary Iron Ore Private Limited, Y Mahabaleshwara and Sons Company, Ananthpuram Mining Corporaton and Obulapuram mining company through global positioning system.  The officials will set up permanent boundary points in Obulapuram area by Tuesday. Tumti mines owner Tapal Ganesh on Sunday said, he would move the Supreme Court against the Survey of India officials fr not carrying out the survey in an impartial manner.  The Supreme Court on May 10 had ordered tourism minister G Janardhana Reddy-owned obulapuram mining company to carry out a survey within 150 mts of the Andhra Pradesh border.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/-Mining-row-Survey-of-India-fixes-boundary-points/articleshow/5978251.cms)

 Call to cancel granite mining unit licence

Tirunelveli, May 29, 2010: The Communist Party of India has urged the State Government to cancel the permit given for mining the granite at Aladiyoor near Manimuthar dam, “since the explosives being used to blast the rocks will badly damage the reservoir, wildlife in the nearby Western Ghats and also farming activities in this region.” “If the licence given for mining the granite at Aladiyoor is not cancelled, the CPI will mobilise the public and wage an all-out war against this atrocity,” warned the party's senior leader and politburo member R. Nallakannu after visiting the mining site at Aladiyoor on Wednesday. According to him, the company, which had obtained licence for quarrying granite only on 2.50 acres, was carrying out mining activities for about 90 metre depth on over 12 acres, including a pond, with explosives. “The shock waves being triggered by the explosives are causing serious cracks in the houses nearby Aladiyoor. Hence, it will also be detrimental to the Manimuthar dam,” he said. Mr. Nallakannu argued that the mining activities being carried out in this region would also pollute the lifeline of the southern districts, Tamirabharani.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/29/stories/2010052952230300.htm)

AP gets good response to mining proposals

Visakhapatnam, May 27, 2010: The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) has floated a global invitation for expression of interest (EoI) for entering into agreement with it for operating heavy mineral beach sand mines (HMBS), mineral separation plants and value-added industries under the public private partnership (PPP) mode and the response has been very encouraging. There have been seventeen offers for Visakhapatnam district alone, according to sources. The APMDC seeks to take up exploration of HMBS mines in Visakhapatnam, Krishna, East and West Godavari districts in a big way. It is planned to extract commercially viable minerals from the sand including garnet, zircon, sillimanite and traces of monazite. Monazite is a radioactive material due to presence of thorium and uranium minerals. APMDC sources say that it does not pose any threat to the environment as it is within permissible limits. Still, there is stiff opposition to the proposal from environmentalists and green groups. The corporation plans to set up mineral separation plants in the following mandals, which have been formed as separate mining zones: Krishna (Kodur, Machilipatnam, Bantumilli andNagayalanka) 31,800 hectares, West Godavari (Mogalthuru and Narsapur) 4,375 hectares, East Godavari-I (Tallarevu, I. Polavaram, Katrenikona, Uppulaguptham, Allavaram, Mamidikuduru, Malkipuram) 11,563 hectares, East Godavari-II (Tuni, Kothapalem andKakinada) 6,250 hectares and Visakhapatnam (Payakaraopeta, Nakkapali and Yelamanchili) 13,750 hectares.

(source:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/05/28/stories/2010052854022100.htm)

Your no-go areas for coal mining hurts, so review: PMO to Jairam

New Delhi, May 27, 2010: The Prime Minister’s Office is unhappy with Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh’s definition of “no go” areas for coal mining and has warned that these areas could turn out to be breeding grounds for Naxalism. The PMO has also pointed out that the Ministry approach is likely to deprive the Central and state exchequers of several thousand crores. At a May 21 meeting, presided over by T K A Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) were told that in nine coalfields, where superimposition of coal-bearing areas and forest areas had been done, it has emerged that 48 per cent of the area fell in “no go” category “which is not agreeable”. “The implication of this categorization is that about 619 million tonnes per annum of coal production capacity (about 412 MTPA from Coal India Ltd’s areas and 207 MTPA from captive blocks) is getting affected,” the PMO pointed out.  What particularly upset the PMO was the MoEF’s definition of “unbroken forest” for the Hasdeo-Arand coalfields in Chhattisgarh and its categorisation as “A” area, implying that no coal mining could take place there.  “Unbroken forest is not a justified word for Hasdeo-Arand coalfields as these areas are surrounded by highways, irrigation projects and other economic activities. There is need to review the approach to coal blocks in this coalfield as this includes more than 5 billion tonnes of coal reserves and the potential of 18 allocated blocks are estimated to be 120 MTPA, which could support thermal power generation capacity of 20,000 MW,” the MoEF was told.  Pointing out “no go area may lead to increase in Naxalism”, the PMO suggested that “let the threshold of Weighted Forest Cover (WFC) be greater than 30 per cent and Gross Forest Cover (GFC) be greater than 50 per cent to treat the area as no-go area instead of 10 and 25 per cent respectively as suggested presently”. “If the WFC and GFC are enhanced from 10 to 30 per cent and 25 to 50 per cent, the number of coal blocks that can go to Category B or “go” category would be 473 as against 383 projected earlier. Similarly, the blocks that fall in Category A or “no go” would be 132 as against 222 projected earlier,” the PMO said.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/your-nogo-areas-for-coal-mining-hurts-so-review-pmo-to-jairam/624359/0)

State environment policy - 2009 released

Thiruvananthapuram, May 27, 2010:  The State Environment Policy2009, which was released by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan here on Wednesday, offers a framework within which conservation and development are not seen as mutually exclusive but as a mutually beneficial phenomena.  The policy, in its preamble, states: "This policy document provides a framework within which conservation and development can be achieved simultaneously with a view to maximise the quality of life for every one in the State, optimising the ecological load on the natural systems as well as building up the State's economy while minimising environmental degradation." According to the policy, the major consequences that have piled up on account of development without environmental considerations include: loss and degradation of forests, loss of mangrove systems, increased sand and clay mining, depletion of marine fauna, loss of paddy fields, fall in farmland productivity, industrial pollution, electronic waste and scarcity of water.

Green Awards

After the Policy was released, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan distributed the Green Awards instituted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. Reema Narendran of The New Indian Express received the Green Award in the English media category. Varghese C Thomas of Malayala Manorama accepted the Green Award in the Malayalam media category. V V Asha of Amritha News was the winner in the electronic media category.

(Source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/state-environment-policy-2009-released/176645.html)

China mine acquisitions won't hit Indian iron exports: Essar

Beijing, May 27, 2010:: The acquisition of iron mines in Madagascar by Chinese companies is unlikely to affect Indian ore exports to China, as the bulk of Indian exports consist of high quality ore, which is only available in Australia and Brazil, besides India. India, along with Brazil and Australia, have the high-grade quality iron ore needed for manufacturing high-end steel products and China only has to access it from these three countries, Deep Banerjee, Vice-President of the Essar group in China, told. He said he is not aware of any curbs being imposed by China on ore imports following the acquisition of some mines in Africa and does not see it as a threat to Indian ore exports, which form the bulk of India's exports to China. China has to import quality ore from Australia, Brazil or India and any curbs would not be in China's own interest. So India need not be concerned, Banerjee argued. There were, however, differences over the pricing system and China may would like to import it at a cheaper rate. Ultimately, however, Beijing has to pay the internationally agreed prices dictated by demand and supply, he said. It would also take a long while for China to get supplies from its newly acquired mines in Africa. It could take even a decade, as they have to create infrastructure to bring it all the way here, he said. In the long run, Indian iron exports may go down because Indian infrastructure development is gathering pace and more companies may choose to sell the ore back home, where it is needed, the Essar official said. China imported 627 million tonnes ore last year, of which India supplied around 100 million tonnes.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/metals--mining/China-mine-acquisitions-wont-hit-Indian-iron-exports-Essar/articleshow/5979850.cms)

Plan to protect agate artisans from deadly silicosis disease

Surat, May 25, 2010: To safeguard the health of thousands of artisans working in the agate stone processing industry in Khambhat region, the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) plans to provide financial and other aid to them for setting up a non-hazardous stone processing system. The agate industry is a cottage industry in Khambhat region that employs more than 40,000 people, many of them women. The process of agate goes through mining, drying, frying, grinding and polishing. The agate stones are made into beads by heating, chipping, grinding, drilling and polishing them for the use in jewellery and other decorative items. Mineral dust, especially silica produced during the stone grinding causes pneumoconiosis tuberculosis, bronchitis, emplysema and other respiratory problems.  The GJEPC, which has organised a one-day awareness seminar for the workers on ‘non-hazardous agate processing methods’ at Khambhat on May 26, has decided to set specialised agate processing units for them by installing water spray machines in order to eliminate the crystalline silica dust. For those workers, who want to operate from their houses, the council will provide soft loans to purchase water spray polishing machines. Also, the GJEPC has decided to set up a separate fund for providing medical assistance to the workers suffering from respiratory disorders. “The main source of dust in the agate industry is the dry process for grinding. If the agate stones are processed using water spray machines, then the workers may not contract deadly disease like silicosis or other respiratory disorders. The council is ready to provide all the assistance needed to protect the workers’ health,” said Chandrakant Sanghavi, regional director of GJEPC.  Sources said that polished agate stones are sold at higher prices and exported to many foreign countries. The stones are chiefly used to make ornaments such as pins, brooches, paper knives, inkstands and seals. Khambhat is one of the ancient ports in India from the period of Harappan civilisation. It is believed that the agate industry has its roots in this region for the last 2,500 years. Agate processing was prevalent in many parts of Gujarat, but with the passage of time Khambhat has remained the only centre of agate polishing.  According to Sanghavi, dozens of workers die each year due to silicosis. Most of the workers do job work for gem traders based in Mumbai and other parts of the country. It is the moral responsiblity of GJEPC to protect the health of the workers and also sustain the industry.

(Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com)

Supreme Court Focus on officer plea in mining

New Delhi, May 25, 2010: In a new twist to the alleged illegal mining by Reddy brothers' Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) in Ballery forests, the Supreme Court on Monday referred to the "green bench" a petition by a former company officer, seeking to become a "witness and approver" to show how they had "manipulated" the survey report on the leased mines in its favour.  OMC's former deputy general manager V. Anjaneya had made twofold prayer in his writ petition -to provide protection to him and allow him to become an approver -to assist the top court to show the actual facts about the alleged illegal mining by the company.  A vacation bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and C.K. Prasad advising Mr Anjaneya to approach Karnataka state Human Rights Commission for providing him protection as was given by it earlier but referred his petition for becoming the "approver and witness" to the forest bench, headed by Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia. Justice Kapadia, who took over this month as CJI, had soon after indicated that all issues related to the mining in Ballery forests could be referred to the forest bench.  Earlier, a regular bench headed by former CJI K.G. Balakrishnan had allowed OMC and three other leaseholders to resume mining after receiving a report of the special survey team while permitting fresh demarcation of the leases with certain conditions.  Mr Anjaneya, who claimed that he had resigned after CBI raid in OMC mines in December last year, had sent his affidavit on the issue to the agency as well as Survey of India on "illegal mining" by the Reddy brothers' company. He had given clear "evidence" about the mining outside the leased area in the name of AGK Mines, for which permit for 27.5 lakh tones of iron ore was obtained from the AP government. "However, the AGK mines by itself is not capable of producing even a single gram of commercial grade iron ore," he said.

(Source:http://epaper.asianage.com/ASIAN/AAGE/2010/05/25/ArticleHtmls/25_05_2010_005_027.shtml?Mode=1)

Plea against Reddy brothers to be heard by Forest Bench

New Delhi, May 25, 2010: A vacation Bench of the Supreme Court on Monday directed the writ petition filed by the former deputy general manager with the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), V. Anjaneya, to permit him to become an approver and witness against the alleged illegal mining operations by the Reddy brothers, to be listed for hearing before the Forest Bench. This would be taken up with pending Special Leave Petitions filed by the State of Andhra Pradesh and others. A Bench comprising Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice C.K. Prasad posted the matter to be heard by the Forest Bench immediately after the summer vacation. When counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner wanted protection, the Bench said it was rejecting this prayer and suggested that he could approach the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission. The petitioner accordingly withdrew his plea. In his writ petition, Mr. Anjaneya said he was ready to become a witness and approver. He said: “The petitioner being a technical person and required to be present on the ground had witnessed the entire operations right from the day of his joining in June 2006, and at every time the lease area was changed so as to mine the commercial grade ore in the adjoining areas.” The writ petition added: “The petitioner is willing to come on record and provide the entire details as to how the OMC management is able to extract 25,000 tonnes of commercially grade iron ore everyday when the total extractable ore as per the Indian Bureau of Mines report from Obulapuram mines — the only lease hold mine which Mr. Janardana Reddy and his brother have — is four lakh tonne per annum, which is roughly 1,100 tonnes per day.” The petition alleged that to achieve this target, the Reddy brothers had changed the State boundary markers and destroyed the tri-junction points right in front of the petitioner to get at least 50 acres of mining area with huge commercial grade deposits. It said that by mining into the forest area and non-leased area, they were able to mine 20 times the capacity of what was statutorily available to them under their mining areas. While seeking a CBI probe into the alleged illegal mining activities, Mr. Anjaneya sought permission to turn approver and cooperate with its investigation and to confer necessary protection on the petitioner by reason of his turning approver.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/25/stories/2010052560941600.htm)

AP has Rs 95k cr of rare mineral

Hyderabad, May 25, 2010: The state has finally quantified the deposits of the valuable fullerene mineral found in the Mangampet Barytes mines in Kadapa district more than a year ago. The value of the finding has been put at Rs 95,000 crore.  The mineral, which is said to be 250 times tougher and 10 times lighter than steel, is used in the aerospace industry, nano technology, and solar power. Fullerene costs more than gold at $23,000-45,000 for 10 grams. The state decided to call for expression of interest for research and development and extraction of fullerene. “After receiving the expression of interest bids, we will go ahead with extraction bids and allot the work to qualified companies who can give us the maximum quantity of fullerene,” said a senior official. The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, while reviewing the progress made by the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited (APMDC) had given the go-ahead for the development plan to extract fullerene.  The APMDC-NMDC-DMG joint venture for mining low and medium grade iron ore in Karimnagar, Kurnool, Kadapa and Chittoor was also reviewed wherein the total estimated available quantity was found to be around 370 million MTs.  The preliminary work has started at Pagadalapalle in Kadapa and Chandoli in Karimnagar.

(Source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/ap-has-rs-95k-cr-rare-mineral-665)

Jairam softens stand on mining in tiger homes

New Delhi, May 25, 2010: Minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh has constituted a committee to "examine the proposals of mining, infrastructure development and industries vis-à-vis tiger conservation". Sources said the move was aimed at shifting the onus of hard and difficult decisions on to non-political and technical persons. "Jairam has been criticised for taking technical decisions based on his own impressions. He is also facing the political consequences of these decisions. When decisions are made based on technical-committee recommendations, nobody can object," a source said. About 17 mining proposals in the buffer zones of tiger reserves will be studied and approved by the committee, comprising four members of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The team will visit sites and hold consultations with the locals before submitting a report to the Centre within a month, an order issued by the ministry said. The mining proposals to be studied are in the buffer zones of tiger reserves, including Tadoba-Andhari and Chandoli National Park in Maharashtra, Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh and the Gundla Brameswaram wildlife sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. Several of these proposals are for Chindwara, the constituency of roads and highways minister Kamal Nath, whom Jairam had angered by stopping the widening of a highway that passes through the Pench tiger reserve. Jairam also cancelled permission for coal mining in the buffer zone of Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve in Maharashtra. This put him in the crosshairs of civil aviation minister Praful Patel. The proposed mine was to supply coal to a power project in Patel's constituency in Gondia district. But a Jairam who relished such confrontation appears to have disappeared, especially since he was rapped by his "only friend" in the cabinet, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for criticising India's security measures in China. Also, with his Rajya Sabha term nearing an end, Jairam is said to be working on his conciliatory skills to ensure re-election.

(Source:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/98592/India/Jairam+softens+stand+on+mining+in+tiger+homes.html)

Mines ministry to be mineral development ministry

New Delhi, May 24, 2010: The mines ministry is all set to be re-christened as the Ministry of Mineral Development. After having deliberated at length, the ministry has decided to re-name itself and will soon seek the approval of cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar.  Arguing that the word “mine” is restricted only to one of the activities of mineral development, which range from mineral exploration to finished mineral products and metals, the ministry has decided to rename itself as well as redefine its role. In the backdrop of the proposal involving local population in mineral development by giving them equity/annuity, the mines ministry would like to be perceived as an economic development ministry along with a regulatory role. “We want to change the perception of people that my ministry does not serve the common man. We are for them and for promoting their inclusiveness. Therefore we would like to take on a bigger responsibility of mineral development, where the host population will play a bigger part,” mines minister B K Handique told The Indian Express . He reasoned that it was also appropriate that functioning of all the organisations that the ministry controls such as Geological Survey of India, Indian Bureau of Mines, National Aluminium Company Ltd, Hindustan Copper Ltd and Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd matches completely with the concept of mineral development rather than mining alone. Earlier, mines ministry also included coal, mines and steel together. Either for administrative convenience or for political expediency, these functions were separated. A new Bill also proposes National Mineral Development Fund, along with a state mineral development fund, so that the resources generated through this mechanism will also be used to assist the state government and other agencies for sustainable mineral development. Though Handique did not elaborate, informed sources said that his ministry might remind the cabinet secretary of its demand for seeking control over National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), which is currently under the steel ministry. The steel and mines ministries had earlier fought a turf war on who should have the final say on granting of mineral concessions. The mines ministry is entrusted with the responsibility for enacting legislations for regulation of mines and development of minerals in the country and regulation of the mineral sector except coal, lignite and sand. Conscious that it needs to reorient itself in the changed circumstances, Handique’s ministry has moved forward to develop a sustainable development framework for the mining sector to ensure that mining operations were undertaken keeping in view the interest of all stakeholders, including the host population and also environment.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mines-ministry-to-be-mineral-development-ministry/622688/0)

Rlys asked to check illegal mining of iron ore in J’khand

Ranchi / Kolkata, May 24, 2010:  Following the footsteps of Karnataka and Orissa, Jharkhand has now decided to crack down on illegal mining of iron ore.  The state government has urged divisional railway managers (DRMs) to take steps to check rampant incidents of illegal mining, especially involving iron ore.  Speaking to ET, state mines secretary N N Sinha said the government requested DRMs of Adra, Chakradharpur, Ranchi, Dhanbad and Malda to ensure that the output from the mines are transported through the railways only with proper transport challans. “We have reports that large-scale illegal mining is taking place through the railway network, especially in the West Singhbhum (Chaibasa) district, which is home to huge reserves of iron ore. We have asked railways to monitor and check it,” Mr Sinha said. Besides iron ore, other minerals like coal and bauxite — mined illegally in Dhanbad, Ramgarh and Hazaribagh districts of Jharkhand — are also being transported through the railway network.  Mr Sinha said the government has already activated task force at the district level to check illegal mining. The task force comprises deputy commissioner and officials of the police, mining and forest departments. “The task force in West Singhbhum has conducted a few raids too,” he said.  “Illegal mining is causing huge revenue loss to the state exchequer. Besides, it is also depleting the vast natural reserves of the state,” Mr Sinha said, adding “there is a big nexus of criminal elements in the act”. He, however, did not quantify the loss in revenues suffered by the state as a result of this. The fresh move by Jharkhand is a part of the nation-wide offensive against illegal mining. Its neighbouring state, Orissa, has already taken a drive against it in a big way last month. The Naveen Patnaik government had suspended work in at least 69 iron ore mines after the private operators failed to produce documents to prove their mining activity was legal. The moves along with imposition of 144 Crpc at railway sidings in mineral-rich Keonjhar district had brought movement of iron ore to a standstill over a month.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Rlys-asked-to-check-illegal-mining-of-iron-ore-in-Jkhand/articleshow/5966785.cms)

Coal allocation policy likely to be tweaked

New Delhi, May 24, 2010: The government plans changes in coal allocation policy to offer alternate coal blocks to companies that are denied such blocks by the environment and forests ministry, a move that will remove uncertainty over several infrastructure projects.  The existing policy framework does not allow allocation of alternate block to any project. If the original allotment is cancelled due to any reason, companies have no option but to apply for a fresh coal linkage.  “We will review the existing coal block allotment policy to devise new criteria for allotting alternate coal blocks to companies that have committed large investments on the back of government allocations,” a coal ministry official said.  “The companies should get a fair treatment where allocations have got cancelled not due to any failure on their performance,” he said, requesting anonymity. The allocation policy was discussed threadbare at a recent meting organised in the Planning Commission, headed by its member energy. At the meeting, all participants including the power ministry, environment ministry and the law ministry supported changes in the allocation policy. “The proposal to qualify coal mining areas in the country as ‘go’ and ‘no go’ areas will impact a large number of companies. This will remove uncertainties and boost the valuation for companies,” said a metal and mining sectors analyst. The process of allotting alternate coal blocks would be kicked off once the confusion over ‘go’ and ‘no go’ areas are cleared. Companies that lost coal blocks will get priority over others in the allocation of fresh coal blocks. “We will finalise a mechanism to decide the priority on alternate coal block allocation,” said another coal ministry official, who asked not to be named. Allocation of Lohara coal block allotted to Adani Power was recently cancelled by the government due to its proximity to Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve. The environment and forests ministry had recently said that its new classification of ‘go’ and ‘no go’ areas may leave a large portion of rich Hasdeo Arand coalfields in Chhattisgarh out of bounds for mining. If Hasdeo Arand becomes a ‘no go’ area, it will impact about 30 mining licence given to companies such as Prakash Industries, Hindustan Zinc, Ultratech and Chhattisgarh Captive Coal Mining. It will also impact plans of government agencies such as the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board, Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation, and Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam. Captive blocks in this field have been allocated between 2003 and 2007 and substantive work has been done on some of the blocks. Power Finance Corporation, the nodal agency for large power projects, has extended the bidding date for the Chhattisgarh UMPP by a couple of months to get more clarity over allocation of captive coal block for the project. The coal block for the UMPP also fall in the Hasdeo Arand coal belt.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/metals--mining/Coal-allocation-policy-likely-to-be-tweaked/articleshow/5966690.cms)

Global mining assets lose sheen for India Inc

Kolkata May 24, 2010: Acquisition of global mining assets, once a must-do on the list of many Indian companies, has suddenly lost sheen. Changes in regulatory frameworks, valuation concerns and inadequate infrastructure have led companies to press the pause button. Australia is proposing a 40 per cent super-profit tax, Indonesia’s valuations are suspect and Africa’s infrastructural issues have rendered projects unviable. CESC Vice-Chairman Sanjiv Goenka said the results of due diligence conducted at mines in Indonesia and other areas have been most disappointing. Actual reserves have turned out to be a fraction of the stated or promised deposits.  That appears a concern for all companies, even for the single largest thermal coal producer in the world, Coal India. Looking to bring coal into the country at a rate lower than the global benchmarks, it says pricing is vital in scrutinising purchase of overseas assets. “Valuation is our only major area of concern,” director (technical), N C Jha, said. Consequently, the government-owned undertaking (PSU) is examining prospective asset purchases through technical and financial experts, apart from its internal team, before making a financial decision. However, it benefits from the fact that it knows the sector, an advantage many firms do not possess while attempting international asset acquisitions. For instance, the coal major has not had problems with ascertaining reserves of assets so far, unlike other less fortunate firms. Consider that International Coal Ventures Ltd (ICVL), a special purpose vehicle of five PSUs — Coal India, NTPC, NMDC, SAIL and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd — was formed in 2008 to buy coal properties abroad. Two years on, the company is still scouting. India accounts for 0.5 per cent of world copper reserves, prompting Hindustan Copper to look for assets overseas. But, the search is fraught with risks. “Chile is rich in copper, but there are issues with regulatory framework, as also sustainability. Moreover, one has to buy water rights in Chile separately, which is time consuming and expensive. In Africa, there are issues with infrastructure, while Australia is now considering a 40 per cent windfall tax,” said Shakeel Ahmed, chairman and managing director of Hindustan Copper. Recently, the Bolivian government encashed the bank guarantee of Jindal Steel & Power’s El Mutun iron ore project, saying the company had not made the necessary investment within the stipulated time under the contract signed in 2007. Jindal has said the move was against the contract terms. “Most of the high-grade haematite resources, with more than 60 per cent iron content, are controlled by the big global companies. In low-grade magnetite, the margins are very thin. The average cost of production is Rs 1,200-1,500 (per tonne), while logistics would cost another Rs 500. For our company, which has an Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) margin of 78 per cent, very few assets(acquisition of) make sense,” said Rana Som, chairman and managing director NMDC. There are exceptions. JSW Steel recently completed the acquisition of nine coking coal mines in West Virginia at a cost of $200-250 million. Anil Sureka, director-finance, Ispat Industries, says the problems hold for all countries with natural resources. “There are problems in India as well,” he said. Domestic companies turned to look at global assets largely due to an inordinate delay in asset allocation in the home country. In the past couple of years, though, many of them have been allocated resources — coal, iron ore and even copper. Suddenly, India is on the same footing as global peers.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/global-mining-assets-lose-sheen-for-india-inc/395863/)

Mining industry funding Naxal movement, says Patil

Mumbai, May 21, 2010: Maharashtra home minister R R Patil on Thursday claimed that the Naxal movement is being funded by a section of the cash-rich mining industry.  "Several mines are located in Naxal-affected areas. Those involved in the mining business are providing financial muscle to the Naxal movement," he said, adding, "The movement is not playing itself out in jungles alone. It is being backed by "bigshots" living in metro cities."  The minister suggested that the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) should find out details like the source of funding of these companies doing work in Naxal-hit areas. He made the statement while talking media persons at his Mantralaya office. Patil referred to the reverses suffered by the security forces in areas like Dantewada in Chattisgarh. "In past several years, the movement has seen drastic change. Earlier, Naxals used to attack in one or two dalams (army of nine to ten people). Now, they (Naxals) attack with a whole company that comprises 100 people and that too with latest weapons," he pointed out. However, when asked about the government’s plan to deal with such situation where Naxals are using hi-tech weapons, he said, "Strategies are not revealed in public."  Recently, Union home minister P Chidambaram had urged Naxals to come forward for a dialogue with the government instead of fighting on the streets. Patil, who earlier used to feel that "bullet for bullet" is the right strategy to deal with the Naxal movement, has now started believing that his views are not completely correct. Taking a leaf from Chidambaram’s statement, Patil said, "Development of the affected places should be taken up on a priority basis as it is the solution to end the Naxalite movement."  Patil is the first home minister who took the initiative and asked for the guardian minister’s post of Gadchiroli — one of the Naxal-affected areas in the state. "Naxal dominated areas, especially the remote areas, have not been benefited by the government facilities. I have realised this after becoming the guardian minister. I will take the issue with chief minister Ashok Chavan to expedite the development work in these areas," he said.  Forty per cent of the government posts in these areas were vacant, but now the situation has changed as the number has come down to 27. Launching a scathing attack on human rights activists, who have been sympathising with Naxalites, Patil said, "The human rights activist attack the government whenever the security officials kill any civilian by mistake. But the activists are silent when Naxals go on butchering people."  Recently, after the Dantewada incident, Chidambaram, in an interview to a news channel, had urged the human rights activist to come forward and condemn the attack.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mining-industry-funding-Naxal-movement-says-Patil/articleshow/5956154.cms)

Panel to examine 17 mining projects near tiger reserves

New Delhi, May 20, 2010: The Environment Ministry on Wednesday referred 17 mining and infrastructure projects falling in areas adjoining tiger reserves to a newly-constituted committee to study their impact on tiger conservation efforts. Seven of the 17 projects are proposed in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, the parliamentary constituency of Surface Transport Minister Kamal Nath, who has, in the past, complained to the Prime Minister about environmental roadblocks in infrastructure projects. “These proposals may please be examined from the point of view of any adverse impact on tiger conservation in the landscape,” an Environment Ministry order said. The four-member committee, headed by retired Indian Forest Service officer P K Sen, was constituted earlier this month with the mandate to examine the proposals of mining, infrastructure development and industries vis-à-vis their impact on tiger conservation. These proposed projects lie mostly in the protected areas around Tadoba, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench — all important tiger habitats in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Amongst the proposals referred to the committee is a power project by Adani group in Gondia district of Maharashtra which requires a diversion of more than 160 hectares of forest land for non-forest use. The committee has been asked to make inspections of the areas and hold consultations with field officials and submit their recommendations within a month to the National Tiger Conservation Authority. As per an amendment in the Wildlife Protection Act, buffer areas in tiger reserves are not supposed to have mining projects. In fact, a mining project in Tadoba tiger reserve had been turned down.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Panel-to-examine-17-mining-projects-near-tiger-reserves/621222)

Mining operations of 16 mines suspended in Bellary district

Bellary, May 20, 2010:: Indian bureau of mines today ordered suspension of operations of 16 mines in Sandur and Hospet region of this district in Karnataka for allegedly carrying out illegal mining and flouting mining norms. The mines are owned by companies, including the Mysore Minerals, HG Rangangouda Mines, Jeenath Transport Mines, one block of SMIORE Mines owned by former minister MY Ghorpade, R Charuchandra Mines, KR Kaviraja mines and Gavisideshwara Mines, officials said. Recently, Indian bureau of mines officials had visited the district thrice in the wake of complaints about rampant illegal mining in the region.

(Source:http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mining-operations-of-16-mines-suspended-in-bellary-district_1385565)

India Coal Imports May Rise to 100 Million Tons on Power Demand

Bloomberg, May 20, 2010: India may import close to 100 million metric tons of coal this year to meet growing demand for the fuel from power plants, Partha Bhattacharyya, chairman of Coal India Ltd., said in Washington. The total tonnage of coal imported for the year ending March 31, 2011, “should be around 100 million,” Bhattacharyya said in an interview yesterday. He said it wasn’t an official projection of India’s government. The construction of new power plants and an expansion of India’s steel-making industry could triple coal imports from their 2007 level by 2030, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted last year. Provisional data for the year ended March 31 put India’s imports at 81 million tons, the chairman of the state-owned producer said. In 2009, imports totaled 59 million tons, he said. “Power generation is what is driving the demand,” Bhattacharyya said. New coal-fired power plants, ranging in size from 660 megawatts to 4,000 megawatts, are being built throughout India, he said. South Africa has already cut back coal shipments to Europe and boosted deliveries to Asia as India and China’s economies recover from last year’s slowdown, according to mjunction Services Ltd., a web-based trader backed by India’s biggest steel producers. Coal India revised down its output target in March, saying it planned to produce 486 million tons by 2012, lower than the 520 million tons previously expected. Bhattacharyya said the company aimed to produce 460 million tons in the fiscal year ending March 31.

Strategic Partnerships

Currently, Coal India pays spot market rates for coal imports. The company may spend $1.7 billion on “strategic partnerships” with five mines in the U.S., Australia and Indonesia to get a better price on imported coal, Bhattacharyya said. The proposed deals represent about 280 million tons of coal over 10 years, he said. Bhattacharyya, who was in Washington to meet with U.S. mining industry representatives and Energy Department officials, declined to name the companies whose proposals are under review. The final decision from India’s government is expected by late June or mid-July, he said.

(Source:http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-20/india-coal-imports-may-rise-to-100-million-tons-on-power-demand.html)

Gujarat plans eco-sensitive zones around sanctuaries

Gandhinagar, May 19, 2010: Gujarat is planning to demarcate eco-sensitive zones around all the 22 wildlife and bird sanctuaries in the state, an official said Tuesday. S.K. Nanda, principal secretary, Forest and Environment, said the move was aimed at creating an atmosphere around the sanctuaries conducive to the well-being of the animals and birds. He added that the proposal for such zones, which will stretch from two to ten km around the periphery of sanctuaries, has been sent to the central government. To begin with, the bird sanctuary at Nal Sarovar near Ahmedabad will be taken up as it is prone to considerable disturbance due its close proximity to an urban agglomeration, he said. “The bulk of the birds coming to Nal Sarovar are migratory and travel large distances to reach here. Excessive disturbance is likely to turn them away so we are planning an eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary that provides a tranquil atmosphere to these birds. Mining and explosions will also not be permitted,” he added. These zones will seek to prohibit industrial activity and strong measures will be initiated to curb pollution. “There is a need to curb building activities including residential colonies in such zones,” Nanda added.

(Source:http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/gujarat-plans-eco-sensitive-zones-around-sanctuaries_100366018.html)

IBM suspends mining operations in 90 mines

Nagpur, May 18, 2010: The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has suspended mining operations in 90 mines for not carrying out mining in accordance with its approved plans and schemes during the last fiscal. IBM is a multi-disciplinary government organisation under the Ministry of Mines, engaged in promotion of conservation and scientific development of mineral resources other than coal and atomic minerals.  The organisation carried out inspection of 2,371 mines as against 1,775 during the last financial year for enforcement of MCDR provisions and for examination of mining plans, schemes of mining and mine closure plans.  Some irregularities were found during inspection and consequently, 1,896 violations under MCDR were revealed with 883 mines, out of which 1,066 violations rectified.  "IBM, as per the laid down parctice, launched prosecution in as many as 42 cases, out of which 17 cases were decided in favour of IBM," its Controller General Chandrashekhar Gundewar told.  The national mineral inventory was one of the major achievement of IBM during the last year. It also prepared 100 multi-mineral lease hold maps of Gujarat and part of Rajasthan with corresponding forest overlays completed, he said.  "The Mines Ministry had approved Rs 21.03 crore for 'Computerised Online Register of Mining Tenement System'. The funds will be utilised for capacity building in one state and a district in 11 mineral rich states like Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala among others," Gundewar said.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/metals--mining/IBM-suspends-mining-operations-in-90-mines/articleshow/5944884.cms)

Pollution control: Much noise but little action

Ahmedabad, May 18, 2010: There’s much noise being made over environment conservation, but not enough action has been taken on the ground by the government. Or so it seems. One of the most essential mechanisms devised to control pollution by industries and monitor their operations - the Environment Clearance (EC) procedure and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) - have been deemed totally ineffective by the industries. An Ahmedabad-based voluntary organization, Pryaavaran Mitra, which has been attending almost every environment public hearing (EPH) in Gujarat since 1997, claims that its proper implementation does not happen in most cases, and there is a clear violation in some others. The group has written a letter to the chairman of the committee for EIA and CRZ & additional secretary JM Mushkar bringing these concerns to his notice.  “We have been closely observing that the implementation of new EIA Notification 2006 & further, its Amendments in 2009 that replaced the notifications of 1994, have not brought about any ‘changes’. They have failed to bring any changes to the environment clearance process. Rather, in large number of cases it is not even followed properly, which in turn has resulted in gross violations of the very basic objectives of the Environment Protection Act,” says Mahesh Pandya in the letter. Elaborating on the violations, the presentation includes examples of industries in Gujarat which started production before environment clearance was received. The procedure for conducting the hearing in also not followed. EPH is not completed within 45 days of the date of receipt from applicant. Last but not the least, some conditions given in the Environment Clearance are very vague. In fact, in two annexure attached with the letter to the EIA chairman, a long list of industries and malls that have violated the process and law, and in most cases continue to do so, has been affixed. The activist says the new amendments have made the EIA report totally ineffective. “The amendments have been made to reduce the time taken for getting the clearance by the industry. In turn, what has happened is that there is no compliance by the industry.  Six-month report card is not submitted. Even otherwise, there is no mechanism to monitor whether the polluting unit is following the guidelines given to it at the time of getting the environment clearance. Is this the value we have for Mother Earth?” he adds.

(Source:http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_pollution-control-much-noise-but-little-action_1384462)

Gujarat NRE Coke to invest Rs 1,000 cr in AP plant

Kolkata, May 18, 2010: Gujarat NRE Coke said it will invest around Rs 1,000 crore in an upcoming one million-tonne coke plant, besides a 60-MW power utility, in Andhra Pradesh. "We will invest Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore in the AP plant," Gujarat NRE Coke chairman Arun Jagatramka said, adding that acquisition of land was underway and work on the project would begin by December this year. The plant would require 500 acres of land, he added. At present, Gujarat NRE has two coke plants in Gujarat and Karnataka with a combined capacity of 1.36 million tonnes. It is the largest merchant coke producer in the country. He said that the Andhra Pradesh plant, catering to the needs of user industries located on the east coast, would be ready by 2013. Stating that the investment was part of the normal capex plan, Jagatramka said that the company plans to spend Rs 200 crore annually as capex over the next two years. Jagatramka said that the company was eyeing a turnover of Rs 1,500 crore in FY'10 and Rs 2,000 crore in FY'11. Meanwhile, the Gujarat NRE Mineral Resources Limited, which has a controlling stake in Gujarat NRE Coke, is coming out with a rights issue to raise Rs 120 crore.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/metals--mining/Gujarat-NRE-Coke-to-invest-Rs-1000-cr-in-AP-plant/articleshow/5926751.cms)

Guj NRE plans huge capacity addition in India, Aus

Ahmedabad, May 18, 2010: : India-based coking coal miner, Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd (GNCL) is planning huge capacity addition over next two-three years taking the total met coke manufacturing capacity to four million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from the existing 1.25 MTPA. The company has also laid out ambitious plans to expand its mining capacities in Australia as well. In a media briefing in Ahmedabad on Thursday, AK Jagatramka, Chairman & Managing Director, informed that the company had large capacity addition plans for mining as well as met coke production in its Indian as well as Australian operations. “We aim to take our met coke capacity from the existing 1.25 MTPA to 4 MTPA in a phased manner, of which our Gujarat capacity will be raised from the current 0.68 MTPA to one MTPA in next two years, while additional one MTPA will be erected in Andhra Pradesh,” told Jagatramka. The company also has a 0.60 MTPA met coke manufacturing capacity in Karnataka.  GNCL, which is the flagship company of Gujarat NRE group and the only Indian company to own and operate 2 premium quality hard coking coal mines with resource of over 500 MT in Australia is planning to upgrade its mining capacities to six MTPA, of which company aims to achieve 2.2 MTPA in the current year itself. “These mines are being developed as completely new mines and we are investing heavily to increase production from these mines. We have already invested AUD 300 million in development of these mines and further plan to invest AUD 500 million. As a result, at present, the two mines, NRE No 1 Colliery and NRE Wongawilli Colliery, together produce over 1.5 million tonnes of coking coal a year (2009-10). During 2010/11, we expect to produce 2.4 million tonnes and further continued expansion is expected to increase output to about 6 million tonnes a year by 2014,” Jagatramka told CommodityOnline. Commenting on the capital investments required for the expansions in India, Jagatramka maintained that in Gujarat, the company will invest around Rs.300 crores for met coke capacity in Bhachau, while additional Rs.300 crores will be infused for power generation capacities at same place over next two years. Additionally, the company will make investments worth Rs.800 crore for new capacity planned at Andhra Pradesh. The investments will be made in a time-span of two-four years through internal accruals and some part of debt and a marginal part through equity issue. However Jagatramka ruled out any possibility going public for raising the funds. The holding company of GNCL, Gujarat NRE Mineral Resources Ltd (GNMRL) is going public for raising funds via rights issue. GNMRL enjoys controlling stake in GNCL with 33% holding in the company. GNMRL is offering rights issue of 230 million equity shares. The company will issue equity shares to its shareholders on rights basis at Rs 5 per share. The company will raise about Rs.119.33 crore through the issue of equities to existing shareholders. Giving details of the issue, Jagatramka said, “This rights offer is being made with a view towards giving an opportunity to the loyal investors of Gujarat NRE group, many of whom have been with us since the inception. The idea is very simple to accord an opportunity to these investors to bless the child in its infancy. Let me reiterate again, long term Investors in our group have benefited the most. We, at Gujarat NRE, believe in creating wealth and sharing it with our stake holders. GNCL has delivered over 100% compounded annual return to an investor in the last decade.” The rights offer is made with a view to finance various investment opportunities in the group, including coal mining, coke production and oil exploration development activities of its subsidiary. Commenting on the met coke demand in India, Jagatramka informed that looking at the new power generation and furnace capacities getting on stream, India’s imports of met coke are believed to touch 100 MT by 2014 rising from the existing 35 MT. The prices of met coke, is believed to be strong owing to high demand-supply gap envisaged in future. The prices have doubled so far in past three months. Coking Coal Price has been seeing a steady climb upwards for last six months. Coking coal benchmark price for quarter April to June has been set at $200 compared to last year benchmark at $128 per tonnes. Already the spot prices have moved up to around $250 and analysts are expecting the prices to challenge previous heights in coking coal price in the near future,” he maintained.

(Source:http://www.commodityonline.com/commodity-stocks/Guj-NRE-plans-huge-capacity-addition-in-India-Aus-2010-05-13-28164-3-1.html)

Tree count sees marginal rise in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, May 18, 2010: The forest survey of India may have said that the actual cover in Gujarat has increased by 16 sq km, as compared to 2005 data, however, the tree count conducted in the state in 2007 revealed that numbers have increased by barely 2 per cent. The tree count has only increased by 50 lakh over the 25 crore counted in 2002. The social forestry officials said that Gujarat forests department take a count of trees every five years. The count in 2002 showed that there were 25 crore trees in the state, and of these 4 crore belonged to prosopis juliflora species. Count in 2007 revealed that there was an overall increase of only 50 lakh trees. The official said that the count revealed that of the four crore prosopis juliflora, around 40 per cent were chopped off mainly in Kutch and Amreli.He claimed if 1.60 crore prosopis juliflora trees were not chopped off, their count would have increased by 2.1 crore.  The new count would now be taken in the year 2012. However, the only problem in this count was that big cities, like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, were not included. The maximum increase in the number of trees was for local trees like neem. However, the forester said that there was a delay in finalising the count as the data was collected at taluka level and at the district level and was yet to be complied together to give exact figures for the whole state. The official said that now with chief conservator of forests, HS Singh, taking over, the data is being analysed and would be released soon. He said that the social forestry department was also working on the plan to see that the count was released sooner next time. He said that it should not take more then a year to finalise but with the Forest Survey of India report already released, no one is really bothered about the tree count.

(Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com/)

Environmental clearance for Vedanta mine project suspended

New Delhi, May 18, 2010: Less than a week after Vedanta University's environmental clearance was put on hold, the Centre has suspended the environmental clearance issued to another Vedanta group company for an iron ore mine in North Goa. The Pirna iron ore mine project, to be established by Sesa Goa at Pirna and Nadora villages, received clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests on June 9, 2009. However, following a May 10, 2010 order of the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA), the Ministry on Monday issued a letter to the company suspending its clearance with immediate effect. Sesa Goa is promoted by the Vedanta group, which holds a controlling 57 per cent stake in the mining company. The NEAA ruling came after a local group, the Pirna Naroda Nagrik Kruti Samiti, challenged the original clearance, saying that 100 per cent of those present at the public hearing for the project had opposed the mine. However, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) overlooked the opposition and granted the clearance.

Sub-committee visit

The NEAA directed that the clearance be suspended until an EAC sub-committee visited the area and examined the reasons for local opposition to the mines and the impact on agriculture, health and environmental conditions. Incidentally, the government has now put a moratorium on new mining projects in Goa.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/18/stories/2010051862591300.htm)

Nod to Goa firm for mining cancelled

New Delhi, May 18, 2010: The Government on Monday suspended the environmental clearance given to the mine of Anil Agarwal Foundation in North Goa. This is the second setback for the company after the construction work of Vedanta University proposed along Konark-Puri coast in Odisha was put on hold last week. The decision came following the decision of the National Environment Appellate Authority’s (NEEA) to stay the ‘green nod’ given to the mine of Sesa Goa located at Pirna village and Nadora in Bardez Taluk in North Goa. The project was granted environmental clearance by the Ministry on June 9 last year but was challenged before the New Delhi-based NEAA by an NGO called ‘Pirna Naroda Nagrik Kruti Samiti’. The NGO had alleged despite severe opposition by the local people to the mining project during the public hearing, the Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee went ahead to give its nod, according to a Ministry official. The EAC at the time was headed by ML Majumdar, who himself was on the board of four mining firms and therefore the decision was biased, as held by the Delhi HC in Uttakarsh Mandal Vs Ministry of Environment and Forests.

(Source:http://www.dailypioneer.com/256552/Nod-to-Goa-firm-for-mining-cancelled.html)

Meeting on regulation of illegal mining on Thursday

Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar, May 18, 2010: The Union government has convened a meeting on May 20 on regulation of illegal mining activities in Orissa. The co-ordination between different ministries of the Government of India (GoI) and the state government is expected to come up for discussion in the meeting to be chaired by the Union cabinet secretary. The state government would seek strengthening the regulatory system to curb illegal transportation of minerals through the railway network, streamlining the transportation of minerals through ports and augmenting the manpower of Indian Burau of Mines (IBM) to enable it to effectively discharge its functions. Orissa chief secretary, Tarunkanti Mishra along with the secretaries in the steel and mines, forest and environment and home department would attend the meeting.  Sources said, the state government would apprise the cabinet secretary about various steps taken by the government to check illegal mining and transportation of minerals in the state. Though the railways have agreed to take some interim measures to check illegal transportation of minerals, the state would seek making these measures permanent. Besides, the port authorities would be urged to undertake customs revenue verifications to check illegal shipment of minerals through ports. It may be noted, the state government has already constituted a committee headed by the director of mines (group leader) to monitor the verification of records of all the mining leases (ML) or renewal mining leases (RML). The committee is likely to submit its report in next week.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/meetingregulationillegal-miningthursday/395269/)

Rejection of proposed Indian uranium mine

17 May 2010 : Plans to develop a uranium deposit within the Balphakran National Park in Meghalaya state, India, have been rejected by a federal ministry because local authorities had failed to prevent illegal coal mining in the area.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) had sought approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to conduct exploratory drilling for uranium in the Garo Hill District. However, at a recent meeting of its Standing Committee of the National Board on Wildlife, the ministry decided to reject the proposal.

In a statement, the committee said that, while acknowledging India's urgent need to augment domestic uranium supplies, it "took this decision keeping in view of the sentiments of the local people and a number of representations received from local civil society groups."

During its meeting, the committee was presented with a report by one of its members - Asad Rahmani of the Bombay Natural History Society - on illegal private coal mining around the Balphakran National Park. Having visited the area, he found that there were private coal mines operating in Meghalaya state, close to the Bangladesh border, in violation of national environmental and mining regulations.

In his report, Rahmani said, "The Chief Executive Council of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council has all the powers to stop these illegal mines. Similarly, the District Magistrate of Baghmara can also take action to stop illegal mines. However, in effect neither of these agencies appears to have any control on the ground situation." He added, "After visiting the area, I found that it gives the appearance of an untamed wild frontier where anyone can occupy the land and loot the natural resources."

Rahmani noted, "The most shocking fact was that all this illegally extracted coal is being exported 'legally' to Bangladesh through a border outpost at Gasaupara." He added, "Interestingly, the office of the Department of Mines and Minerals in located at Gasaupara. The whole area around Gasaupara village is spoiled due to coal dumps (on any open space), movement of trucks, pollution of water bodies, noise, and black exhaust by rickety old trucks."

The Standing Committee subsequently decided to press the state government of Meghalaya to implement the recommendations contained within the report. These included the immediate ban on all mining and road construction activity within the Balphakran National Park and to introduce strict regulation of all coal mines in Garo Hills and other parts of the state. It also called for the implementation of "proper mining plans which will ensure that local people avail the greatest benefit from mining."

There are currently 19 nuclear power reactors in commercial operation in India, with a combined generating capacity of 4183 MW. The country expects to have 20,000 MWe of nuclear capacity online by 2020 and 63,000 MWe by 2032. However, India's uranium resources are modest with 54,000 tonnes as reasonably assured resources and 23,500 tonnes as estimated additional resources in situ. Accordingly, from 2009 India is expecting to import an increasing proportion of its uranium fuel needs.

Mining and processing of uranium is carried out by Uranium Corporation of India Ltd, a subsidiary of the DAE, at Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar and Turamdih - all in Jharkhand state near Calcutta. A common mill is located near Jaduguda that processes some 2090 tonnes of ore per day.

(Source:http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/ENF-Environment_ministry_rejects_proposed_Indian_uranium_mine-1705105.html)

Chhattisgarh miners halt Delhi march to meet Jaiswal

Kanpur, May 17, 2010: An 800-strong group of daily wagers working in Chhattisgarh’s Koriya coalmines stopped at the Pokharpur home of coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Sunday during their foot march to Delhi. Jaiswal is currently in the US, and the workers handed over a 15-point memorandum to his spokesman Arun Dwivedi. In Delhi, they intend to hold a protest outside the Parliament and meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to demand a hike in their basic salary. The workers say while the state Labour department has ordered a minimum pay of Rs 270 per day to them, they have been getting a mere Rs 80 for years. They want their basic salary to be raised from the current Rs 8,300 a month to Rs 21,325. President of the Koyla Udyog Kamgaar Sangathan (Chhattisgarh), Mohan Lal Bargahi, said: “Despite our repeated appeals, the authorities are not willing to take action against the contractors who are paying us less than one-third of our stipulated salary. There are currently over 86,000 daily wage employees in the coalmines of Koriya.”

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chhattisgarh-miners-halt-delhi-march-to-meet/619795/)

MinesMin suggests I-T type slabs for levy of windfall tax

New Delhi, May 17, 2010: Intensifying its pitch for imposing a Windfall Tax to curb profiteering among the mining community, the union Mines Ministry has suggested to the Finance Ministry a slab system of taxation similar to the Income Tax to net the surplus profits earned by merchant miners. The intensified pitch for a windfall tax comes close on the heels of Australian Premier Kevin Rudd recently announcing his government’s determination to impose a Resource Rent Tax, which is also understandably aimed at curbing the profiteering of Aussie mining behemoths like Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, etc. Mines Minister B K Handique in a recent letter to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee aired his concern over the “profiteering” by the merchant miners and cited that during 2003-04 to 2009-10, iron ore prices have risen by about 170 per cent powered by demand from neighbouring China. “We have told the Finance Ministry that while ore prices continue to surge, its cost of production hasn’t changed much. So, iron ore mining remains highly attractive for the miner. It is also a fact that higher returns have not translated into higher spends on CSR for local communities. What’s more, it has fuelled a rapid growth in ore production along with corresponding increases in boundary disputes, acrimonious litigation, misuse of transport permits of illegally mined minerals and recently in mafia activities,” Handique told The Indian Express. The Mines Ministry suggested to the Finance Ministry that one key way to impose the Windfall Tax was “imposing a slab system like the Income Tax, whereby the miner is taxed on customs duty, apart form royalty on the sale price of iron ore in the invoice of the final purchaser for domestic sales and Freight On Board (FOB) in case of exports on a slab system, with a provision for standard deduction.” For example if the FOB was 62 dollars, then apart from the 10 per cent royalty on the average value, the miner would also have to shell out customs duty calculated on a graded basis as against 5 per cent duty on a flat basis. “Another mechanism could be to identify a threshold value, a fixed value taken as a percentage of the average prices published by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and any value realized by the miner over and above such a threshold value would be levied at a higher rate. Handique cited that in case of ore grade of 65 Fe and above lumps, the average price published by the IBM was Rs 2,826 per tonne for Chhattisgarh and if it is assumed that 50 per cent per cent was the threshold value for such mineral, then any value realized by the miner above Rs 1,413 would be charged at a higher royalty rate,” the ministry said. Fearful of the new tax, the mining community has opposed it. “If this proposal is accepted and implemented, it will ultimately lead to a situation where only legal miners will pay the so-called ‘windfall tax’. Despite your good intentions, in the course of time, it will be the illegal miners who will rule the roost and defeat the very purpose which you have in mind,” Federation of Indian Mineral Industries secretary general R K Sharma said in a letter to Handique.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/minesmin-suggests-it-type-slabs-for-levy-of-windfall-tax/619694/0)

Three firms shortlisted for CIL's $ 2bn overseas projects

New Delhi, May 16, 2010: State-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL) has shortlisted US firms Massey Energy and Peabody Energy, besides Indonesian Novem/Sinarma, for a possible partnership to take forward the about USD 2 billion (over Rs 9,000 crore) overseas ventures. The world's largest coal producer will soon start due diligence at five mining assets of the global firms, spread across Australia, Indonesia and the United States. CIL chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya had already named Peabody Energy as one of the shortlisted firms, out of the 59 proposals it received from global firms for its Expression of Interest. The navratna firm is currently considering equity buyouts and joint venture mining with these firms. "A team of two CIL officials will undertake due diligence of mining assets of the Massey Energy Company in US, Peabody Energy in Australia, and Novem/Sinarma in Indonesia. They are expected to leave shortly," a senior Coal Ministry official told PTI. The team is expected to visit Peabody Energy's Metropolitan Under Ground Mine and Wilkie Creek Mine in Australia; Novem/Sinarma's Borneo Inclobana and G 3 mines in Indonesia and Massey Energy Company's Sidney Underground Mines in the US. CIL will finalise "at least" one deal in the next few months, the official said. "CIL has already appointed merchant bankers and technical consultants for the proposed JV projects," another official in the know of the development said. For Peabody Energy's Australian assets, CIL has appointed DSP Merrill Lynch as the merchant banker and Minarco Mineconsult as the technical partner. Similarly, the coal firm has given the task of evaluating Massey Energy's assets to the Royal Bank of Scotland, and roped in Marston and Marston for technical assistance. For the assets of the Indonesian firm, CIL has appointed the Royal Bank of Canada as the merchant banker and IMC Group as the technical consultant. Coal India has built a war chest of Rs 6,000 crore for foreign ventures this fiscal, Bhattacharyya had said last month. The PSU expects to import 50 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of coal from such projects in the next few years to meet the domestic demand. In the current fiscal, CIL expects coal imports to increase to 100 MT, from 80 MT in 2009-10. CIL, which is sitting on a cash pile of over Rs 30,000 crore, does not need to raise funds for its growth projects.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com)

Ministry says no to uranium mine project in Meghalaya

New Delhi, May 15, 2010: The environment ministry on Friday rejected the government's big ticket uranium mining project in Meghalaya on the ground that the state government had failed to prevent illegal coal mining in the area. The Department of Atomic Energy has sought the environment ministry approval for exploratory drilling in Rongcheng Plateau in Balphakran National Sanctuary in south Garo Hill District of Meghalaya. The area is said to have rich reserves of minerals including uranium."The Standing Committee (of National Wildlife Board) took this decision keeping in view the sentiments of the local people and a number of representations received from local civil society groups," said a ministry's statement. In the same vein, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh emphasised on augmenting domestic uranium supplies. The standing committee also discussed a report on illegal coal mining in Balphakran National Sanctuary, which said that the mining has been allowed in violation of Forest Conservation Act and Environment Protection Act. "The district officials have failed to stop illegal private mining even though they have powers to do so," the committee said in the report. The committee asked the state government to immediately implement the recommendations of the committee, which includes ban on all mining activity inside the sanctuary and a plan to restore the green cover.

(Source:http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ministry-says-no-to-uranium-mine-project-in-Meghalaya/Article1-543769.aspx)

Ramesh rejects proposal for uranium mining

New Delhi, May 15, 2010: Weathering the political storm over his controversial remarks, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh was back in action today as he rejected a proposal from the Department of Atomic Energy for exploratory drilling for uranium in the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya. Chairing the 19th standing committee meeting of the National Board on Wildlife, Ramesh acknowledged that the country needed to augment domestic uranium supplies. However, due to the rampant illegal mining in the region which had hurt the sentiments of the local population, the committee decided not to allow any further exploitation of the region for its rich natural resources. The committee also discussed a report prepared by one of its members, Asad Rahmani of the Bombay Natural History Society, on illegal private coal mines around the Balphakram National Park, where mining activity is maximum.  The report, which gives a detailed account of the rampant illegal mining in the area has urged the central government to take up the issue with the state government. “Such mining has severe implications for the social fabric of the state, health of its people, immigration, apart from environmental damage,” it says. Mining has to be stopped at all the sites to prevent ecological damange to the landscape. It is a matter of great concern that the state seems to have lost all control over this region, says the report. “After visiting the area I found it gives the appearance of an untamed wild frontier where anyone can occupy the land and loot the natural resources,” says Rahmani. The report describes that mining is done by untrained labour in a “rat-hole fashion”. “A hole is excavated on the hillside, sometimes up to 60 to 100 metres deep and coal is extracted manually and brought out as headload and dumped in the nearest open area, mostly roads,” it says.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ramesh-rejects-proposal-for-uranium-mining/395037/)

JSW Steel completes coal mine buy in US

Mumbai, May 15, 2010: JSW Steel, the Mumbai-based company which, like other metal-bashers from India, is aggressively scouting the world for raw material to feed its expanding steel-making capacities, on Friday completed the acquisition of nine coking coal mines in West Virginia in the US. It will pay in the range of $200-250 million (Rs 900-1,125 crore) for the mines, said people familiar with the development. The Sajjan Jindal-controlled steel company, which did not mention the name of the company that owns the mines, nor the size of the transaction, said the nine mines have combined reserves of 123 million tonnes. Coking coal is a key raw material for steel mills and accounts for 40% of the total cost of steel-making. The JSW group, which also has interests in energy and aluminium, has in the past acquired coal mines in Africa, US and Australia. Last month, group company JSW Energy bought a thermal coal mine — coal that is used by power producers — in South Africa for about $50 million. Coal and iron ore are the two main resources that steel companies in India and China have been keen to acquire as these raw materials together account for almost 80-85% of the total cost. While Essar Steel recently bought a coal mine in the US for $600 million, Tata Steel has done similar sized transactions in the recent past, for coal, in Africa, Australia and Indonesia. Referring to the coal mines in West Virginia, a JSW Steel official said: “These mines have a railway load and barge facility which reduces the cost of production and transportation of the coking coal.” Infrastructure around the mines and facilities to move the coal from mines to ports and to consumption centres, accounts for about 30-40% of the total cost. Over the past three years, the rush to move coal and iron-ore from resource-rich countries such as Australia, Indonesia, the US and Africa to China and India, has led to a congestion in major ports.

(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com)

Hindustan Copper to hike capacity; divestment on track news-

15 May 2010: Government-owned Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL), the country's sole copper miner, has firmed up plans to increase the capacity at its Malanjkhand open pit mine from two million tonnes per annum to 5 mtpa, while also getting a lease to explore a new mining area in Rajasthan.  Shakeel Ahmed, chairman and managing director of the company, said in Kolkata on Friday that the HCL board has cleared the expansion programme of Malanjkhand mine, but this is only the first step towards the project's implementation. "This proposal will go to ministry now and then to the Planning Commission. After the planning commission's clearance it will go the Public Investment Board," Ahmed told newspersons after a board meeting. He said an investment of Rs2,500 crore has been estimated as of now and the company is inclined to execute it with a partner on a risk-sharing basis. After expansion, Malanjkhand would be India's deepest base metal mine, he added. Ahmed also said the union cabinet is likely to approve the plan to divest a 20 per cent stake in HCL within the next two weeks. He said all concerned ministries have approved the plan, and the proposal is now with the law ministry, which is likely to clear it in a day or two. The lease for exploring a new mining area, Banwali Ki Dhani, in Rajasthan has been recently approved by the Rajasthan government and HCL would shortly start exploring it. Ahmed said the new lease has two areas - one 36.1 sq km and the other 1,207 sq metres, with an estimated (Geographical Survey of India estimation) reserve of 85 mt. HCL might go for a joint venture to develop the mine. The HCL board has also cleared expansion of Khetri-Kolihan mines from 1mtpa to 3mtpa and the bids for appointing an independent appraiser has been opened on Friday, Ahmed said. HCL on Friday reported a profit after tax of Rs154.68 crore on net sales of Rs1,304.52 crore for 2009-2010, against loss of Rs10.31 crore on a net sale of Rs1,190.15 crore in 2008-09. For the quarter ending March 2010, the company posted a net profit of Rs91.74 crore on a net sale of Rs409.76 crore, against figures of Rs3.78 crore and Rs344.70 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal. Ahmed said that higher copper prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) contributed to the profit, while production in every month of the last quarter was 30 per cent higher than that of the corresponding period's production. While the average copper price in LME was $6,101 per tonne in 2009-2010, in 2008-2009 it was $5,863 per tonne.

(Source:http://www.domain-b.com/industry/Mining/20100515_hike_capacity_oneView.html)

In a first, Mines Minister rejects Nalco stake sale proposal

New Delhi, May 15, 2010: In the first such rejection by any ministry, Union Mines Minister B K Handique has shot down a proposal by the Finance Ministry that sought 10 per cent or more disinvestment in state-owned aluminium giant Nalco. The government holds 87.15 per cent in the navratna company that earned profits of Rs 1,272 crore on a turnover of Rs 5,531 crore in 2008-09.  The Nalco board that considered the Department of Disinvestment’s proposal to offload 10 per cent stake in the company felt there was no need for stake sale now.  “My ministry has concurred with the board’s views and we have conveyed the same to the DoD. Nalco does not need funds since it has cash reserves of about Rs 4,300 crore. Hence, we do not favour disinvestment,” Handique told The Indian Express.  While it is true that Nalco is cash-rich, official sources said that politically too, it was getting difficult for the UPA government to push through disinvestment with strong opposition by Orissa that is governed by the BJD. Nalco is headquartered in Bhubaneswar and all its plants are located in the state. Most political parties — the BJP, CPM, CPI — have threatened to launch state-wide agitation if the Nalco stake sale is pursued.  Handique is, however, open to considering stake sale in another PSU Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) under his ministry. His ministry has decided to sell 20 per cent equity in HCL, the BSE-listed mini-ratna giant. This will help the government raise Rs 3,000 crore. The follow-on public offer will see the government selling 10 per cent of its own stake and the company issuing fresh shares of another 10 per cent.  The Centre has identified about 60 PSUs for listing or re-listing on the bourses. It has already executed FPOs of National Mineral Development Corporation, NTPC besides clearing the FPO of SAIL. It has targeted raising Rs 40,000 crore through disinvestment in 2010-11 for funding its ambitious social agenda.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-a-first-mines-minister-rejects-nalco-stake-sale-proposal/619222/0)

UAC activists may intensify stir against Posco project

Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar, May 15, 2010 : The activists of the United Action Committee, a purportedly pro-Posco outfit active in the Posco steel project site near Paradip, have threatened to oppose the project if the district administration deploys police force in the ‘peace zone’ of the project area.Terming two panchayats-Nuagaon and Gadkujang and Noliasahi village in the project site as peaceful areas with overwhelming support for the project, the UAC activists have strongly criticized the decision of the Jagatsinghpur district administration to deploy police forces at these places.Stating that the presence of police in these areas would scare the peace-loving villagers, the UAC members threatened to intensify stir against the project if the administration went ahead with the plan. Vice President of UAC, Nirvaya Samantray and other members including Tamil Pradhan, Anadi Rout, Sarat Swain and Saumendra Nayak said, the socio economic survey, identification of land and boundaries, panchayat elections and other welfare activities have been done in the Posco areas with the help of strong support of the local villagers.“There is no sign of violence and assault on Posco and other district officials. Rather, we are ready to extend cooperation to expedite work on the Posco project and this obviates the need to deploy police forces in the peace zone”, said sarpanch of Gadkujang, Nakula Sahoo.Meanwhile, the UAC has sent a message to the district administration to start discussion with the villagers on issues pertaining to the compensation package and rehabilitation of Posco affected persons.Special Land Acquisition Officer of Paradip, Nrusingh Swain said, the district administration has received the suggestion. He confirmed that rehabilitation, compensation and other issues will be finalized with the consent of villagers and police forces have been deployed for the safety of villagers and officials.It may be noted that 25 platoons of police forces have been deployed at Kujang and nearby areas with an intention to drive away the anti-Posco agitators who have been squatting on the Balitutha bridge, the entry point of the project site, since January 26, 2010 blocking the entry of government and Posco officials into the project area.Protesting the police action, Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti (PPSS), the organization spearheading the anti-Posco movement in the state, is observing Mass Resistance Week from May 13-20 at Balitutha.The anti-land acquisition leaders who congregated at Balituthta alleged that the state government was acquiring land forcefully with the help of forces at Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadkujang panchyats.They have vowed not to allow the state government to acquire even an inch of land for the project.Meanwhile, PPSS has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik and chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission to withdraw the forces in the interest of the affected villagers.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/uac-activists-may-intensify-stir-against-posco-project/394970/)

Coal India in talks with Massey, Sinar Mas for mining ventures: report

14 May 2010: 'Navratna' public sector undertaking Coal India Ltd (CIL) is in talks with Massey Energy of the US and Sinar Mas of Indonesia to acquire coal mines or form joint ventures overseas, reports quoting sources close to the developments said. CIL, the world's largest coal producer, which mines nearly 80 per cent of India's total coal production, reported production of over 532 million tonnes of coal in the 2009-10 financial year. CIL chairman Partha Bhattacharyya said the company has already appointed bankers and technical consultants and is awaiting results.  CIL has been forced to look overseas to bridge the growing coal shortage and rising imports estimated to reach over 100 million tonnes by 2012. Coal India, meanwhile, is planning to offload 10 per cent of its equity in an initial public offer this year to raise around Rs15,000 crore (over $3 billion).  The CIL issue is likely to hit the market in August. Merchant bankers estimate the entire valuation of the IPO at over Rs15,000 crore ($3-5 billion).  Six investment banks, including Citibank, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Kotak Mahindra, Enam Securities and DSP Merill Lynch, have been short-listed for the IPO.  Coal India Limited (CIL) is a Schedule 'A' 'Navratna' PSU under ministry of coal, with headquarters in Kolkata. CIL is the single largest coal producing company in the world and is the largest corporate employer in the country with manpower of 409,332 (as on 1 July 2009).  India has proven coal reserves of 105.82 billion tonnes out of total reserves of 267 billion tonnes (as of 1 April 2009).

(Source:http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_c/Coal_India/20100514_mining_ventures_oneView.html)

Orissa Hope for Workers in Plan to Operationalise Mines

Bhubaneswar, May 14, 2010: In 1998, all operations at Kalarangi mines were stopped by the state government on the ground that it was a wildlife habitat. The Orissa govern ment has decided to take steps to clear procedural hurdles to operationalise Sukinda chromite mines.  The decision follows discussions at a high-level meeting held in the state secretariat under the chairmanship of finance minister Prafulla Ghadei.  In 1998, all operations at Kalarangi mines were stopped by the state government on the ground that it was a wildlife habitat.  At least 620 workers in the mines were rendered jobless. Some of the family members of the jobless workers allegedly starved and their children were compelled to leave schools as they could afford for education. Some of the jobless workers even reportedly died under stress.  The state government's decision was challenged in the high court by Sukinda Upatyaka Mines Workers Union.  The high court, which heard the writ petition on November 11, 2001, disposed of the case with a clear-cut direction to the Union government to dispose the proposal for diversion of land within a period of three months from the receipt of the order.  Following the court order, the Central government issued in principle approval to the state government with a condition that the latter would conduct of environment impact assessment (EIA) and preparation of the wildlife Management plan (WMP) for this mine. “Steps would be taken for early conduct of environment impact assessment (EIA) and preparation of the wildlife Management plan (WMP) for this mine,” minister Mr Ghadei told this newspaper on Friday. Sukinda Chromite mines is an old mine owned by the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC).

(Source:http://epaper.asianage.com/ASIAN/AAGE/2010/05/15/ArticleHtmls/15_05_2010_009_028.shtml?Mode=1)

Supreme Court refuses to let Bellary Iron Ores resume mining

New Delhi, May 14, 2010: Buoyed by the permission given to the Reddy brothers to resume mining on the Andhra border, Bellary Iron Ores on Thursday moved the Supreme Court for permission to resume excavations in the Bellary reserve forests. Bellary Iron Ores (BIOL), which has six leases and some of them sharing boundary with the controversial Reddy brothers-owned Oblapuram Mining Company mines, requested the court to grant it permission to mine in the same area in accordance with the recent Survey of India report. However, a Bench comprising chief justice S.H. Kapadia and justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar declined to give any interim relief and directed it to list the matter before the forest Bench in July. The Bench also slammed BIOL for keeping quiet for more than six months after the controversy with OMC started. The court enquired whether the firm had approached the high power committee appointed by it comprising persons from the Survey of India to ascertain the facts. “You (BIOL) were sitting on the fence and watching the show for considerable time, and when the things are over you have come before us,” the court said, rejecting contentions of the firm that the survey has been completed and they be allowed to work. OMC and BIOL were jointly stopped by Andhra Pradesh from mining in its Anantpur district last November. However, OMC moved the apex court and got relief, while BIOL keep quiet.

(Source:http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/andhra-pradesh/article429193.ece)

Reddys still have to clear forest bench

New Delhi, May 14, 2010: Days after the Supreme Court provided relief to Karnataka's mining magnates and powerful politicians -- the Reddy brothers -- by permitting resumption of mining in the undisputed areas near the Bellary Reserve Forest, it on Thursday injected some suspense that had the potential to erase smiles off the mine owners' faces.  A Bench comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia and Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar referred to the special Forest Bench an appeal filed by Bellary Iron Ore Pvt (BIOP) Ltd, a rival of the Reddys' Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), for hearing on Friday.  In contrast, an apex court Bench comprising then CJI K G Balakrishnan had on May 10 permitted OMC to resume mining operations only in the undisputed areas 150 metres away from the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border.  This order was passed on the basis of an ambiguous report from a high-level Survey of India team tasked by the SC to report on the AP government's allegations that the Reddy brothers had encroached into the Bellary Reserve Forest and that they were mining in areas far in excess of what was specified in the lease deed.  Appearing for BIOP, senior advocate Krishnan Venugopal challenged the AP High Court's February 26 order permitting OMC to continue mining despite serious environmental apprehensions expressed by expert bodies, on the basis of which the AP government had ordered stoppage of mining.  He said OMC could not be allowed to "continue looting mineral resources from forest areas when no proper survey has been done of the mine lease areas by the authorities of the Union government and inquiry into serious allegations of encroachment into forest and land of neighbouring mine owners in violation of the Forest Conservation Act and the Mines and Mineral (Development and Conservation) Act".  Appearing for OMC, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said it was a politically motivated appeal as the AP government had virtually been proved wrong by the Survey of India's report, which gave a clean chit to OMC. Once, this was perused by the apex court, which allowed resumption of mining, the present appeal is not maintainable.  But, the CJI-headed Bench said that since the allegations pertained to mining in forest area, it would be appropriate that the issue was examined by the special Forest Bench.  With Justice K G Balakrishnan retiring on May 12, the new CJI in Justice Kapadia would now head the Forest Bench, which under him would have the first sitting on Friday. And it will be during the first hearing that the special Bench would examine the maintainability of BIOP's appeal.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Reddys-still-have-to-clear-forest-bench/articleshow/5927870.cms)

Miners demand review, redrawing of areas

Chennai/ Bangalore, May 14, 2010: Some mine owners from Karnataka have demanded that the government review and redraw the mining sketches issued to the various lease holders in the Bellary reserve forest area to end the dispute on any alleged encroachment in the different mining zones. They also sought a clear demarcation of the undisputed area in the Bellary zone in the wake of the recent Supreme Court interim verdict allowing the Reddy brothers to mine in the undisputed areas. On Monday, the apex court allowed Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC), promoted by the Reddy brothers, to mine in its leased areas in Ananthapur areas of Andhra Pradesh.  However, it restricted OMC’s operation in the alleged encroachment zone within the Karnataka border. “There should be a clear demarcation of mining sketches in the Bellary reserve forest area to facilitate hassle free mining operations,” T Ekambaram of Tumti Iron Ore Mines said. He also said that as there were discrepancies in the sketches provided by the departments of Mines and Geology, and Forest, it should be sorted out before allowing any mining operations. Earlier, the Survey of India in its report to the apex court recommended that the state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka should agree on an interstate boundary in this zone. Taking note of this fact, apex court has asked both states to erect 10-foot high barbed fencing along the border to prevent miners from transgressing the Bellary Reserve Forest Area in Karnataka. The apex court had banned mining of iron ore by the OMC on March 22 and appointed a committee comprising of officials from Survey of India, forest, irrigation and revenue department of Andhra Pradesh with representatives of OMC to look into allegations of illegal mining in the border areas of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/miners-demand-review-redrawingareas/394839/)

Mine closed, coal supply to TTPS hit

Angul, May 13, 2010: Coal supply to GRIDCO linked 460 MW Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS) was affected today due to closure of its feeding mine - Jagannath Talcher coalfield - by the state mining authorities. Instead of daily dispatch of 8,000 to 10,000 tonne of coal, only one rake of coal (3.5 thousand tonne) was sent to the power plant today. TTPS draws coal to the tune of 5,000 to 6,000 tonne through conveyor belt from Jagannath mine. The state mining authorities here led by Mining Officer S. Nayak closed the open cast mine on Tuesday for want of environmental clearance. According to sources, the mine did not have “consent to operate” by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). The consent for last year had expired on March 31 last. The Board had made three directives to coal authorities in the current financial year to meet certain conditions for grant of consent of operation. The local Board officials said as none of the conditions were met, consent was not granted to the mine. Coal authorities said efforts are on to get the consent from SPCB soon. They admitted to coal supply to TTPS being hit. While conveyor supply of 5,000 to 6,000 tonne was stopped, the only supply was maintained through rail. They, however, said that there was no alarming situation at TTPS as it stocks about one lakh tonne of coal and its daily requirement is about 8,000 to 10,000 tonne. The power generated from NTPC-owned TTPS goes to GRIDCO.

(Source: http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/mine-closed-coal-supply-to-ttps-hit/173044.html)

Kaziranga: High tiger density may be due to habitat loss

Guwahati, May 13, 2010:  A recent survey has found that the famous Kaziranga National Park in Assam has the highest tiger density in the world, but conservationists have warned that it could be an indicator of habitat destruction and suggested remedial measures.

'Aaranyak', an environment watchdog, in collaboration with Assam Forest Department in a recent survey using the 'camera-trap' method has found that the national park, famous for one-horn rhinos, has a density of 38 tigers in an area of 100 square kilometres. According to the last survey done in 2002, the tiger density was 16.7 per 100 square kms. Describing such an unusual increase of the striped cats in a single protected area could be a dangerous indicator of habitat destruction, conservationist Bibhab Talukdar of Aaranyak recommended regular monitoring of tigers and prey population in the forest. "We would recommend regular monitoring of tigers and prey population to understand the ecology in such a high-density tiger habitat," Talukdar said. He said the unusual increase might be attributed to habitat destruction in surrounding areas as a result of which these animals flocked to Kaziranga. Due to the high-density, human-tiger conflict in the fringe areas of the park might go up and both short and long term measures were necessary to minimise such conflicts, he felt.  Treating Kaziranga and the adjoining Karbi Anglong hills as a single conservation belt was the need of hour for the long-term survival of the Park and proper dispersal of tiger population, Talukdar pointed out. "Unless the tigers have a wider dispersal area, myriad problems like infighting and conflict with humans is likely to intensify," he added. The corridors linking Kaziranga with Karbi Anglong forests have suffered extensive degradation due to encroachment, illegal logging, stone mining, growing settlements and tourist movements have severely disrupted wildlife movement, particularly during the flood season, said P J Bora of World Wildlife Fund-India. Man-tiger conflicts have increased in recent years with high incidence of cattle loss reported from fringe villages of Kaziranga. There have been confirmed cases of poisoning of the big cats by affected locals, too. To ensure the future of the animal, improved management of tiger habitat, including restoration and management of corridors between core areas through land-uses compatible with tiger conservation was necessary, Bora said. "Creating additional or expanding existing protected areas to support viable, breeding tiger populations, and linking them with habitat corridors should be of utmost priority for both proper management of the Park and tiger," Talukdar added.

(Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/69242/kaziranga-high-tiger-density-may.html)

India's carbon emissions gather pace  

New Delhi, May 12, 2010: India's greenhouse gas emissions grew 58 percent between 1994 and 2007, official figures released yesterday showed, underlining the country's growing importance in the fight against climate change. Emissions rose to 1.9 billion tons in 2007 versus 1.2 billion tons in 1994, with the industrial and transport sectors upping their share and confirming India's ranking among the top five carbon polluters. Figures in the government report, released by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, show India is closing in on Russia, now the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter at nearly 2.2 billion tons in 2007. Russia's emissions have been growing at a slower pace than those of India, whose energy-hungry economy has been expanding at about 8 percent a year as the country tries to lift millions out of poverty. This has propelled investment in coal-fired power stations, steel mills, cement plants and mining, as well as renewable energy. "Interestingly, the emissions of the US and China are almost four times those of India in 2007," Ramesh said. "The energy intensity of India's gross domestic product (GDP) declined by more than 30 percent during... 1994 to 2007 due to the efforts and policies that we are proactively putting into place. This is a trend we intend to continue," he said. Energy intensity refers to the amount of energy used per unit of GDP. India has set a carbon intensity reduction target of 20 percent to 25 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels. The last official report to the UN on India's emissions contained 1994 data because, as a developing country, India is not obliged to make annual emissions declarations to the world body, unlike rich nations. The latest UN emissions data for industrialised nations is from 2007. Along with China and the US, the top two greenhouse gas emitters, India is seen as a crucial player in trying to agree on a broad UN climate pact to curb the growth of emissions blamed for heating up the planet.

(Source:http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3915825&fSectionId=565&fSetId=662)

Greenhouse emission numbers out and we're clean compared to West

New Delhi, May 12, 2010: The government has revised India's greenhouse gas emission estimates after 13 years and has found one fact unchanged — India has one of the lowest per capita emissions of GHG gases in the emerging economies and at merely 1.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per capita it continues to be way below that of the developed countries. The GHG gas inventory is based on data for 2007 and comes more than a decade after the last one which was prepared on the basis of 1994 data.  In 1994, Indian emissions stood at 1.23 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. They saw a nearly 60% jump to 1.73 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. But despite this leap in emissions, even on gross basis, India's emissions continued to be nearly 1/5th of that US despite being home to nearly 17% of the world population.  While the increase in emissions has been accompanied by substantial industrialization in the country, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, while releasing the report along with environment minister Jairam Ramesh, noted that the emission intensity of Indian economy continued to decline.  The highest contributions to emissions, as expected, continue to be from the electricity production and distribution systems with 37.8% of total emissions being from this sector. The emissions from energy production have increased at 5.6% on a compounded annual growth rate basis. Transport continues to be the second biggest contributor with 7.5% of the emissions arising out of the fossil fuel burnt in transportation which includes aviation, shipping, railways and road transport.  Interestingly, emissions from aviation have increased substantially more when compared with other modes of transport. "The contribution of civil aviation to GHG has almost doubled," Ramesh pointed out while detailing the report.  Overall the combined energy sector contributed 58% of the emissions, industry 22%, agriculture 17% and waste generated 3% of the annual emissions in 2007.  The emissions profile of the economy has been conducted by the Union environment and forests ministry through its Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment. The Network is meant to prepare comprehensive climate change and provide all kind of scientific inputs into decision making by the government.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Home/Environment/Global-Warming/Greenhouse-emission-numbers-out-and-were-clean-compared-to-West/articleshow/5919762.cms)

Delhi HC issues notice against mining in Vizag

Visakhapatnam , May 12, 2010: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a petition filed by Samata, a voluntary organisation, against the environmental clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) for taking up mining in Jerrela located in Agency tracts of Visakhapatnam district. The notice was issued by Justice S. Muralidhar. Samata's main contention is that the Ministry of Environment and Forests did not consider the impact of the diversion of dense forest on the livelihood of the tribals as well as the fact that no justification was given for allowing mining in such an ecological sensitive area. The Ministry of Environment and Forests had initially stipulated additional studies to be done by the project proponent specifically with respect to the impact on the tribals and how allowing mining would affect the livelihood of the tribals. The Ministry unfortunately never bothered to check whether these studies were actually done or not. Further, the environmental cle-arance condition imposed by the Ministry mandated that detailed study of flora and fauna should be done within six months after grant of clearance. This clearly revealed the fact that no prior studies had been done with respect to the flora and fauna of the area. The petition also highlighted the concern about the manner in which the public hearing was conducted since the venue Chintapalli was away from the proposed area of mining, that is Jerrela village. Severe restrictions were put on the movement of public transport to Chintapalli on the day of the hearing. Further, although the 10-km radius around the project site included parts of Orissa as impact zone, no public hearing was held for those who were likely to be affected in Orissa. Even more shocking was the fact that approvals have been granted for mining in certain blocks which would only start after 60 years- thereby taking away the right of even the future generations to be heard. The case was posted for hearing on July 19, 2010.

(http://www.deccanchronicle.com/visakhapatnam/delhi-hc-issues-notice-against-mining-vizag-982Environment ministry halts vedanta university)

New Delhi, May 12, 2010: The Environment ministry has put on hold the Rs 150-billion Vedanta University in Orissa following complaints of irregularities by Anil Aggarwal Foundation, the developer of the university. The ministry had given conditional environment clearance to the university a month ago. Among the 50 conditions imposed was mandatory public hearing and inviting public objections to the project. In the April 16 clearance, the Ministry had banned the Foundation from withdrawing ground water, restricting local fishermen from fishing and constructing in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area. On Tuesday, the ministry headed by Jairam Ramesh, decided to keep its order in abeyance till the ministry takes final decision on the issue. “This ministry has received information alleging inter alia irregularities, illegal, unethical and unlawful deeds by Anil Aggarwal Foundation. Serious objections were raised during Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority meeting, which have not been appropriately considered in granting the clearance,” the order issued on Tuesday said. The ministry has directed Vedanta Foundation not to do any construction or development work till a detailed examination of issues raised in the complaint is done by the ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee.The multi-disciplinary Vedanta University is proposed to come up along Orissa’s Puri-Konark highway spread over 6,892 acres, of which 4,000 acres will be transferred by Orissa government to the Foundation.

(http://www.hindustantimes.com/Environment-ministry-halts-vedanta-university/Article1-542414.aspx)

Vedanta University's eco-clearance on hold

New Delhi, May 12, 2010: The environmental clearance for the Rs.15,000-crore Vedanta University project has been put on hold by the Central government to re-examine allegations of illegal activities by the promoters. On April 16, the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests had issued an environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance to the University, proposed to be built on 6,000 acres along the Orissa coast between Puri and Konark. However, on Tuesday, the Ministry sent a letter to the promoters, the Anil Agarwal Foundation, directing that all construction and development works be halted until a detailed examination of the complaints is completed by an Expert Appraisal Committee and a final decision taken. The letter said the Ministry had “received information alleging, inter alia, irregularities, illegal, unethical and unlawful deeds” by the Foundation. It added that “serious objections raised during Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority meeting had not been appropriately considered” in issuing the clearance.

CRZ violations

Ministry sources said a letter had been received from a member of the National Board for Wildlife, alleging CRZ violations, and that part of the University's site was land belonging to the Jagannath Temple.

(Source:http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article427534.ece)

Krishna visiting Kazakh to add energy to ties

Talks between Two Sides to Focus on Oil and Civil Nuclear Cooperation

New Delhi, May 11, 2010: External affairs minister S M Krishna is going on a three-day visit to oil-rich Kazakhstan on Tuesday. The two sides will hold discussions on finalising an agreement on the Satpayev oil block. Cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector and in the field of civilian nuclear energy is on top of the agenda, with a delegation of experts from the petroleum ministry and ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and a representative from the Department of Atomic Energy accompanying the minister during the visit. “We are hopeful of positive progress on an agreement on the production and exploration at Satpayev oil block,” Ajay Bisaria, joint secretary in charge of the Eurasia division, said on Monday. He further described discussions on the oil block as “one of the most important issues to be discussed”. Mr Krishna — who will hold discussions with his Kazakh counterpart Kanat Saudabayev and call on Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev — is also expected to focus on taking forward civil nuclear cooperation. Both sides are in the midst of discussing an inter-governmental agreement on peaceful civil nuclear cooperation which has many elements, including the possibility of India setting up nuclear reactors in Kazakthan. “An inter-governmental agreement is under discussion and it will be broad based like the one we have with Russia...we envisage a wide range of nuclear cooperation,” said Mr Bisaria. Both sides are eager to conclude the agreement. In Washington last week, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev had agreed to quickly complete the nuclear agreement. Anyway, the two countries have already signed a memorandum of understanding on supply of uranium. But, the inter-governmental agreement looks at cooperation in many areas in the civilian nuclear sector. Energy cooperation has become an important area of cooperation between the two countries. There is an attempt to expand cooperation in other sectors also. The two sides are also expected to come up with a blueprint on cooperation in diverse sectors, including energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and mining. The Kazakh president has launched a development programme and is looking for foreign investment in the 170 projects that are being launched. And Indian corporates have been invited too. “They have said that they are keen to see active Indian participation,” said MEA spokesperson Vishnu Prakash. Mr Krishna, who is travelling with a business delegation that includes representatives from major corporates, will also be shown a presentation on Kazakh’s development programme.

(Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com)

Vedanta’s new acquisition signals boom for zinc

Mumbai, May 11, 2010 : Even as India and China reported major boom in their auto sales, zinc manufacturers are out to produce more of the metal which is used mainly in cars and consumer goods. Several companies are also in the hunt to acquire zinc producing firms to boost their productions as the metal witnessed a big surge in the recent past. The demand for zinc is so high now that several companies are in hunt for new ventures. This week saw London-listed Vedanta Resources, which was halted in its bid to acquire a US mining major last year, edged out global majors like Xstrata and China Metallurgical Corp to buy the zinc unit of the UK’s Anglo American for $1.3 billion. This move has made Vedanta one of the giants in zinc manufacturing in the world. The acquisition gives Vedanta a leading 11% global marketshare in zonc and made it the world’s lowest-cost zinc producer. It also gives Vedanta an edge over state-run Chinese metal companies that have been competing with Indian private companies to own mining assets globally, as soaring demand for consumer goods in China and India pushes these companies to increase metal production. The acquisition values Anglo American’s zinc business at 3-3.5 times forward earnings, placing it competitively against peers such as Xstrata, Glencore, New Boliden and Teck that quote valuations of 5-6 times earnings. Unlike in the EU and US, which restrict companies to own dominant marketshare, the developing world is liberal on competition issues. LN Mittal-owned ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company by capacity, currently accounts for 10% of the global steel industry with many of its units located in the developing world. Vedanta will now own the UK firm’s assets, including Skorpion mine in Namibia, Lisheen in Ireland and Black Mountain in South Africa with combined reserves of 206 million tonnes of zinc and lead. The acquisition will be done through Hindustan Zinc (HZL), pending approval of the Indian company’s board, and the benefit of the total capacity of 1.5 million tonnes will lead a to combined operating profit of about Rs 10,000 crore. Anglo American said the sale of its zinc business follows its October 2009 announcement of its strategy to focus on commodities where it holds advantaged positions. Anglo American’s zinc business produced 3,50,000 tonnes of zinc in 2009. Of the total consideration, $698 million relates to the Skorpion mine, $308 million relates to the Lisheen mine and $332 million relates to Anglo American's 74 per cent interest in Black Mountain Mining. With this acquisition Vedanta will be taking on board 1800 employees from Anglo American’s zinc business. Rough estimates indicate that Vedanta would get nearly 4 per cent of Anglo American Plc’s revenues but would be burdened with only 1.7 per cent of its workforce.

(http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Vedanta%E2%80%99s-new-acquisition-signals-boom-for-zinc-28070-3-1.html)

Jairam blames states, royalty formula for tardy coal projects

New Delhi, May 10, 2010: Union Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh has sought to shift the blame to the states for delaying finalisation of coal projects and also simultaneously hit out at the present royalty mechanism, which he said did not provide any incentive to states for them to push projects.  In a recent letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the minister said, “Bulk of the so-called delays that the coal ministry was complaining about was because of the long-time involved in getting the state government concerned to approve the project at its end and then forward it with all details.” On his part, he said his ministry would ensure complete transparency in processing cases and readiness to cut down needless delays.  Arguing that states have their own problems associated with land acquisition, Ramesh said, “They also have no real great economic incentive to clear such projects expeditiously given the present formula for royalty sharing.” “I have found on detailed analysis that bulk of the coal projects are stuck with the state forest departments for one reason or another. In states like Jharkhand, it can take anywhere upward of three years for the state to send the proposal to the Centre for its final approval.”  Pointing out that among all coal-rich states, his ministry faced extreme delays in Jharkhand, Ramesh told the Prime Minister, “I would request you to convene a special meeting with the chief minister in this regard.”  He informed Singh that at his ministry’s behest, a preliminary exercise was currently on to delineate “Go” and No Go” areas for opening fresh coal mines. “We have generated digitized maps for nine of the major coalfields on which coal reserves and forest areas by density have been superimposed on each other,” Ramesh said in his letter and reminded that in No Go areas, one could rule out any approval for a coal mine due to factors like forest density and nature of the forests. Even in Go areas, where mining was possible, clearance would be subject to usual examination procedures under FCA and Wildlife Protection Act 1972. “Go areas should not mean that approval was automatic. Final approval must depend on examination of site-specific factors in the statutory forest advisory committee,” the minister said.

(Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/jairam-blames-states-royalty-formula-for-ta/616517/)

IUCN opposes uranium mining in Meghalaya forest

New Delhi, May 10, 2010: South Asian Primate Network representing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the latest body to join the protest against the Centre’s permission to the Department of Atomic Energy for uranium drilling in the Balpakram National Park in Meghalaya. Balpakram National Park is one of the few remaining large and contiguous habitats in India, which is home to several endangered primates. The IUCN members have written to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh not to allow de-notification of the integral part of the park, at any cost. The letter noted that Balpakram National Park, besides its rich biodiversity, is also home to seven important primates’ species. Two of these species hoolock gibbon and capped langur are globally endangered. Further, the park is an especially critical habitat for the stump-tailed macaque. There are fewer than 250 animals and it is critically endangered in India. Two more species, the northern pig-tailed macaque and Assamese macaque, were listed by the IUCN Primate Specialist Group in 2003 as endangered in India. These four species are also included in the Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. The letter to Ramesh said that the proposal of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to de-notify an area of eight sq km on the Rongcheng plateau in Balpakram, to prospect for uranium, should not be considered at any cost.  It contended that the park is one of the few remaining large, contiguous habitats in India that holds viable populations of several endangered primates, hence, the wildlife of this national park must be protected at any cost.

(Source:http://www.dailypioneer.com/254772/IUCN-opposes-uranium-mining-in-Meghalaya-forest.html)

Mining scam: SC tells Orissa to file compliance report in 6 weeks

Bhubaneswar, May 10, 2010: On Friday, the Supreme Court in its first hearing of the forest law violations in the Orissa mining scam asked the state government to file compliance report on the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) within six weeks. The CEC, which probed into the multi-crore scam, in its interim report last month had said that illegal mining was going on in the state in violation of the the Forest Conservation Act 1980, Air and Water Act and various norms of environmental clearance. The CEC report mentioned that the production level in many mines was above the quantity approved in the mining plan. In December last year, journalist Rabi Das had filed a case before the CEC regarding the alleged illegal mining in the lapsed/invalid mining leases/ areas, seeking appointment of a commission to investigate and study the modalities of the illegal machinations, fix responsibility on individuals (in government and outside it) and recommendation of remedial measures. The state has granted 596 mining leases for extraction of different kinds of minerals. Of this, 341 mines are operating. The interim report prepared by the CEC said a large number of the mines have remained operational for long periods of time after the expiry of the lease period because of the delays in taking decisions on the renewal applications filed by the respective mining lease holders and consequently, the mines becoming eligible for 'deemed extension' as provided under Rule 24 A(6), MCR, 1960. The CEC said 215 mines were operative for 10-20 years on deemed renewal status.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mining-scam-sc-tells-orissa-to-file-compli/616394/)

Lack of national policy hurts iron ore sector

Bhubaneswar, May 9, 2010: The long absence of a national policy framework on iron ore has hurt the sector as technology has become the casualty and scientific mining does not virtually exist in India, CMD of NMDC Ltd Rana Som said here on Friday. Barely 15 percent mines are mechanised, fully or partially, and most mining companies are not bothered about sustainable practice, productivity as well as beneficiation because the export market boosts their profit, he said at a mining technology conference. “It is the conflicting opinions and a conflict of interests in the industry which has prevented formulation of a national policy on iron ore,” Som said. On the contrary, coal industry has witnessed a huge change since 1960s after its nationalisation in 1970s and subsequent allotment of the coal blocks for captive use. Of the total coal demand 630 mn tonne, Coal India supplies 431 mn, while 90 mn tonne is met by other firms. The rest is imported. The NMDC chief said, coal producers are not fly-by-night operators since production process is an efficient one, and has boosted investment in technology. The same can not be said about iron ore sector though, he pointed out. “In Orissa, as many as 562 applications were recommended for iron ore mines. If granted, iron ore mining will become a cottage industry,” Som said adding large scale mining will never allow scientific operations. The NMDC CMD said, most iron ore companies operate in a hit-and-run system. Since they know the life of a mine spans between five to 10 years, they make the most of it without bothering about sustainability, preservation and beneficiation. Such a trend, Som said, is a dangerous one and underscores the need for a national policy. Though a national policy is not possible without a database, he said, there is no national agency which is willing to carry out the exploration. The GSI has more interest in coal while CMPDI does it on commercial basis. He informed that when NMDC recently offered to conduct iron ore exploration for free, only two states came forward. “It was neither Orissa nor Chhattisgarh, but Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh,” he said. Inaugurated by Prof Ajay Ghose, the conference MineTech’10 was organised by the India Mining and Engineering Journal and Indian Bureau of Mines.

(Source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/%E2%80%98lack-of-national-policy-hurts-iron-ore-sector%E2%80%99/171730.html)

New approach to uranium mining proposed

Shillong, May 8, 2010: Meghalaya Government would adopt a “new approach” to try finding a solution to people’s fears about health and environment hazard, arising from Uranium mining. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that he had a “fruitful interaction” with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh early this week about the proposed Uranium mining in Meghalaya and also other issues. “The Prime Minister has assured that all necessary instructions would be given to relevant Ministries (concerning Uranium mining) for building up a consensus on this issue in the best interest of the people of Meghalaya in particular and India in general,” Sangma said during a press briefing yesterday.  Sangma said, as part of the new approach, complete engagement of all sections of the people including civil societies, NGOs, experts would be sought through discussions, seminars and workshops on the issue. “The discussions and seminars would seek to find out whether there is a solution to the apprehension of the people as far as impact on health and environment issues vis-à-vis the proposed Uranium mining is concerned,” Sangma said. Several NGOs and political parties in the State are opposed to mining of Uranium in West Khasi Hills district fearing health and environment hazard.

(Source:http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may0910/oth05)

India Cem seeks mine leases in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

Mumbai, May 8, 2010: India Cements, the largest cement producer in south India, is seeking mining leases in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan to meet coal requirements as it looks to expand beyond the south. The company expects to raise capacity to over 20 million tonne in the next four years from 13.4 mt now, T S Raghupathy, executive president, said. “As our next five year plan, we are looking at increasing capacity in line with the industry expansion. We are possibly looking at more than 20 million tonnes in the next three-four years.”  The installed capacity will increase to 14 mt once its Chilamkur plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Cudapah district achieves full capacity. The 1.5-million tonne plant in Rajasthan, being set up through its subsidiary Indo Zinc, is also expected to go on-stream in July. India Cements had in July last year acquired Indo Zinc through its subsidiary ICL Financial Services. Having taken a 39.84% stake initially, the company has raised its holding to close to 69% now, according to the India Cements management. “We will be converting a significant portion of this into equity, which will happen very soon. We are waiting to get some clearances from exchanges,” company officials told analysts at a post-results analyst call. The company’s capex for the next three years is close to Rs 1,100 crore, which includes about Rs 800 crore for the current year  the rest will be spent in FY12 and FY13. A big chunk of the expenses will be for completion of the plant at Mahi, Rajasthan, and two captive power plants. The company is also looking to acquire coal sites worth Rs 100 crore in Indonesia. N Srinivasan, India Cements vice-chairman and managing director had recently said that the company would need 700 to 800 tonne of coal annually to meet its internal requirements. The company has completed the formalities for leasing a 1,400 acre coal mine in Indonesia, and is in the process of identifying a mining contractor. Coal would start coming in the next seven-eight months. Meanwhile, in the fourth quarter, though India Cements’ volumes increased, lower price realisation impacted the overall performance. The top-line increased 9% to Rs 974.30 crore on the back of 26% growth in production & dispatches. Its net profit fell 59% to Rs 38.32 crore. Though the domestic cement consumption grew by 12.8% nationally, the growth was only 5.1% in the south. This, coupled with capacity additions in the region, saw prices head down in the south. India Cements’ freight cost increased 10% quarter on quarter to Rs 646 per tonne owing to the distance between the company’s plants in the south and the newer markets it is targeting up north. The company, which started supplying in the eastern region in September, is now selling in north-east, too. “Month on month we are moving 60-70 thousand tonnes into long leads,” a company official said. “Currently, Tamil Nadu and Kerala account for around 50% of our dispatches, Andhra Pradesh (21%), Maharashtra and Karnataka (13% each). About 3 to 5% goes into the eastern region.”

(Source:http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_india-cem-seeks-mine-leases-in-madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh_1380378)

Coal project faces closure

Talcher, May 7, 2010: In the absence of land to expand the mining operation, the 20-million tonne capacity Bhubaneswari opencast coal project at Talcher is facing imminent closure.  The land constraint has been a longstanding issue for the project. For the work to move ahead the villagers of Zillinda would have to be displaced, says a coal official.  The villagers, however, refused to vacate their land demanding all the 313 jobs in the company be given to them.  According to the official, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited had already provided 239 jobs in the form of rehabilitation and others are in process. He said the rehabilitation site at Gurjang is ready with all amenities to lodge the displaced persons of Zillinda village.  Sticking to their guns, the villagers say they would not shift unless jobs are provided, he added.  Sources said instead of the normal 25,000 tonne average daily, the mine is producing only 6,500 tonne of coal. The mine which produced coal of four million tonne as per the target last year produced only 82,000 tonne in April against the target of 5.8 lakh tonne. In March the production stood at nine lakh tonne.  The Rs 500-crore coal project, running on outsourcing, made a profit of Rs 108 crore registering a growth of 116 pc last year.

(Source:http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/coal-project-faces-closure/171464.html)

Coal slow poison for soil

- Research links pride of Jharia to host of illnesses

Dhanbad, May 7, 2007: Though residents in the coal belt of Jharia and Raniganj take pride in the presence of vast coal reserves under their land little do they know about the health hazards connected with the same. After three years of research, a group of scientists of Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Digwadih, have found that due to the coal, residents were suffering from high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, asthma and eczema.  Soil contamination due to coal mining and processing is also leading to various other health risks, including general weakness, blurred vision and body pain.  A group of scientists of CIMFR, Digwadih, had carried out three years of research. The project, “Assessment of risks to human health from soil contamination in coal fields”, is part of the Rs 2.63 crore network project of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Under the project, scientists of five institutes across India discovered the presence of chromium and nickel in the soil of these coal fields.  Chromium and nickel cause cancer of lungs, digestive tracks and nose. The head of the department of environmental management division of CIMFR, L.C. Ram, said that the research, the first of its kind in Asia, was part of the 11th five-year plan of the Centre. “Most of the research conducted on the impact of industrialisation were confined to water and air pollution and there was no comprehensive study regarding soil contamination which has an indirect impact on health through consumption of plants grown on contaminated soil. The contamination due to settling of pollutants may lead to water pollution,” he said.  “Open cast mining is the main source of coal contamination along with the open burning of coal mining areas. This leads to vapourisation of poly-aromatic hydrocarbon that settle in the surrounding soil. This apart, the coal ovens are the second most potent source of soil contamination. Coal washing carried out in coal washeries is also harming the soil of adjoining areas leading to various diseases,” added Ram, who recently participated in a seminar, Impact of coal benefaction on the surrounding soil and inhabitant health, in USA. Ram, however, expressed happiness that arsenic and mercury — considered to be extremely dangerous — are not found in the coal fields of India.

(Source:http://telegraphindia.com/1100507/jsp/jharkhand/story_12421678.jsp)

 4 killed in Chhattisgarh mine explosion

Raipur, May 7, 2010:Four miners were killed and 28 injured in a massive blast in the Anjan Hills coalmine in Chhattisgarh's Koriya district on Thursday. Six members of a technical team were still trapped in the mine, and rescue workers were unable to make contact with them. The mine, operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited, an undertaking of the Coal Authority of India, is located 50 km from Chirmirri, district headquarters. “Of the 28 injured, 14 are being treated in the district hospital at Chirmirri, while 14 have been shifted to the Apollo Hospital at Bilaspur,” Collector Alok Awasthi said. “S.K. Goswami, deputy general manager, operations, was among the dead.” While the exact cause of the explosion, which occurred at about 11.30 a.m., is yet to be ascertained, Mr. Awasthi told The Hindu that it happened probably when carbon monoxide gas leaked into a mine shaft and caught fire under high pressure and temperature that prevailed in the mine. The leak and the rise in temperature were detected on Wednesday, and there was no mining operation on Thursday. In the morning, a rescue team and a technical team entered the mine for a safety check.  However, they were trapped in the explosion that spewed scalding fumes to the surface. “Thirty-two miners standing at the mouth of the mine were injured,” Mr. Awasthi said, “While two died in the hospital in Chirmirri, two died en route to Bilaspur.”  Rescue teams were waiting for conditions in the mine to stabilise before launching a search for survivors.

(Source:http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article423869.ece)

Climate change action plan on mining moots use of clean technology

Kolkta/ Bhubaneswar, May 07, 2010: The draft action plan on climate change in the mining sector plans to carry out a study to determine appropriate policy instruments to promote energy efficiency in the mining clusters and mineral transport sector. As a measure in that direction, the directorate of mines (DoM) will be vested with the task of identifying areas in mining processes where energy savings and emission reduction can be achieved. While emphasis will be given on exploring cleaner technologies and best practices in coal mining, a study is proposed to be taken up to find out the potential of coal bed methane in coalfields of the state, official sources said.  A separate coal evacuation plan will be put in place for Talcher and Ib valley coalfields. Similarly, an environmental restoration fund (ERF) is proposed to be constituted taking contributions from the mining houses. A mechanism will be devised to implement a system of compensatory water harvesting and storage around mining clusters by the concerned mines and efforts will be made to protect and restore water harvesting structures in the catchment of the mining intensive areas. Besides, the government proposes to take up a regional hydrological survey for mining clusters of Joda-Barbil, Koira, Talcher-Angul, Ib valley, Sukinda valley areas, limestone and dolomite belts and eastern ghat bauxite zones. The draft action plan prepared by the sectoral group on mining also proposes to conduct studies to identify the potential of beneficiation of low grade iron ore, manganese, graphite and chrome ore. It also seeks to leverage the best practices in metal mining for fighting the impacts of climate change. According to the draft plan, steps will be taken for creation and maintenance of green zones in major mining clusters by the forest and environment department. While the human resources will be strengthened at the level of DoM in terms of technology, development of data base and training on various aspects of climate change, mining personnel and lease holders will be sensitised about the benefits of clean technology. According to sources, the Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) will establish a robust system of environment monitoring in major mining clusters. It may be noted, the state government is likely to finalise the State Action Plan (SAP) on climate change by end of this month.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/climate-change-action-planmining-moots-useclean-technology/393964/)

Panel to decide on model to grade coal: Centre

New Delhi, May 07, 2010: The coal ministry has decided to set up a committee to determine the value of coal by allocating a calorific value to it, a senior official of the ministry has told Business Standard. However, NTPC, the largest power company and user of coal in India, is opposing the move. “The committee has been set up, but there are a few issues regarding clauses for grading or framing of international standards. The largest consumer (NTPC) feels that grading must not be removed,” said the official. In India, the existing system used to grade coal is UHV (useful heat value). In other countries GCV (gross calorific value) determines the quality of coal. Indian coking coal is broadly divided into six grades and non-coking coal into seven grades.  The coal ministry wants to abolish the grading system and implement a system wherein coal would be graded on a single parameter as it is done elsewhere. This system of grading, according to NTPC, would not be fair as coal in India is of lower standard and, therefore, is required to be graded to determine its worth. Indian coal standards, NTPC said, need to match international standards before grading could be done away with. “We do have an issue with lower grade coal being used at the same grade as the coal available abroad. One cannot use their methods of measuring the value of coal as Indian coal is not up to international standards,” said an NTPC official. At present, Coal India is selling coking coal at Rs 440 to Rs 2,200 per tonne, depending on the grade of coal and the company that owns the field. Price of non-coking coal, on the other hand, ranges between Rs 1,120 to Rs 3,750 per tonne, determined by the grade and coal field. NTPC uses around 73 per cent, amounting to around 313 million tonnes, out of the total of 431 million tonne produced in the country. Due to the apparent poor quality of coal produced in India, the country’s imports have reached a record high this year at 70 million tonnes and is expected to rise to 84.4 million tonnes in 2010-2011, indicating a rise of 21 per cent. India’s coal production stands at 533 million tonnes and is likely to reach 571.87 million tonnes in 2010-2011, said an official.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/panel-to-decidemodel-to-grade-coal-centre/393924/

Centre turns deaf ear to green cry in Goa

Panjim, May 7, 2010: Goa’s precious 500-hectare spread of rich mangrove forests has always had to struggle to stave off the rapacious real estate lobby and battle the fallouts of widespread mining. Now, these biodiversity hotspots have yet another threat to contend with — a swanky new highway. The Centre plans to build a six-lane highway from Patradevi to Polem, running across the length of the State, bulldozing nearly three hectares of designated forest area covered by mangroves. The project has been conceptualised and carved out on the drawing boards of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the State Public Works Department (PWD). These zones feature in Botanical Survey of India’s list of top five critically endangered and fragile ecosystems. Of the reported 60 species of mangroves found the world over and recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 32 are located in India. Goa’s reputation as a prime mangrove habitat rests on the fact that it is home to 14 out of the 32 mangrove species found in the country. With mangroves already having to contend with burgeoning real estate activity, ore-laden barge traffic, dragnet fishing and silting of mining rejects in the estuaries, the new scheme has the State’s green brigade crying foul. A recent announcement by the Goa State Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) functionary Arvind Gajanan Untawale, that Government agencies would have to replant thrice the area of mangroves destroyed during the project, has not enthused many. The thick mangrove vegetation invites many rare species of birds. The Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary calls to species like the pin-tailed duck, coot, purple moorhen, cormorant, shovellor, tern, pond heron, egret, kingfisher heron, green bee-eater, drongo, tree pie and lesser wood shrike, among others. Botanical Society of Goa president Miguel Braganza is upset by the project and unconvinced by Untavale’s assurance. He said, “The Goa Preservation of Trees Act, 1982 states that three trees must be planted for every tree cut or (Rs 200×3 trees) Rs 600 is to be paid to the Compensatory Afforestation Management Authority (CAMPA) fund. However, when forest officers see money, they forget to count trees correctly.” Braganza pointed to a statement by principal chief conservator of forests (CCF) that there was no land available in Goa for CAMPA. “So they will do compensatory afforestation in other States, outside his jurisdiction and responsibility!” Braganza said. Goa has already lost nearly 200 hectares of forests and mangroves to reclamations, roads and various other forms of ‘development’ in recent years. The Forest Department claims to have afforested of 846.6 hectares from 1991-2002 but the survival rate is way below cent per cent because of dragnet fishing and excessive barge movement.  “In the entire State, dragnet fishing is common. This damages young plants. Besides, fishermen uproot the young crop. Further, barges in Mandovi and Zuari rivers, which carry ore to Mormugao Port, cause strong waves uprooting saplings. However, other estuaries without barge movement do not have such problem,” said a forest department official. Premanand Mahambre, a local farmer and former sarpanch of the island village of Chorão — which is home to large stretches of mangrove marshlands, including the famous Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary — has seen it all. “A few words by a GCZMA member mean very little. Unless the Forest Department puts it down in writing, as part of the conditions based on which the PWD is granted permission to go ahead with road construction, no one can really celebrate. After all, who is to ensure that PWD will actually do the compensatory afforestation?” he asked.  Miguel shared the fear. “The reality is different. In Panaji itself, mangroves have been cut and buried to put up buildings,” he said.

(Source:http://www.dailypioneer.com/253877/Centre-turns-deaf-ear-to-green-cry-in-Goa.html)

Green panel refuses nod to Tata Power expansion in Dhanbad

New Delhi, May 6, 2010: An environment panel has refused nod to expansion plan of Tata Power in Dhanbad in Jharkhand citing a moratorium imposed on construction activities in the critically polluted areas till August in the country.  The Tata Power Company had proposed expansion by addition of two units of 660 MW coal-based thermal power plant from existing two units of 525 MW at Maithon in Dhanbad District which has been identified as the most polluted city in Jharkhand as per a government survey.  The expansion proposal had come up before the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for determination of terms of reference (ToR) for undertaking environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study as per provisions of EIA notification 2006. However, the EAC dropped the project after noting that the area is located in critically polluted areas identified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and for which the Environment Ministry has issued a circular on moratorium of projects until August. The CPCB in collaboration with IIT Delhi had surveyed the pollution levels of 88 industrial clusters across the country of which 43 were found to be "critically polluted." The polluted areas or industrial clusters were given a moratorium till August so that CPCB in consultation with the respective State Pollution Control Boards and the industrial bodies can draw a time-bound action plan for reducing the pollution level in these areas. Till then no environment clearance will be given to any project proposal in these areas.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Green-panel-refuses-nod-to-Tata-Power-expansion-in-Dhanbad/articleshow/5894220.cms)

Environment clearance panels set for rejig

New Delhi, May 6, 2010: In-principle green approvals scrapped. In a decision that will help streamline clearance procedures, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has decided to reconstitute the Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs), while stopping the practice of giving “in-principle” clearance to projects. The EACs are constituted under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification for giving clearances to projects. In the past, there have been allegations of conflict of interest against some of the members of these committees. The EACs are expected to be reconstituted over the next few days.  The big projects given in-principle approvals recently were Vedanta for bauxite mining in Orissa and South Korean steel major Posco for iron ore mining. Some weeks ago, Ramesh said Vedanta had violated the Forest Rights Act after getting the in-principle approval. He said the company started work in the non-forest area of the project, when according to law; it had to wait for clearance from the forest area of the project. “I have put an end to this practice,” Ramesh told Business Standard. “There will now be a stage of recommendation and a final approval.” On EACs, he said there will be three appraisal committees set up to look into coal and power projects, infrastructure and hydel projects. Questions were raised in the past by activists on the role of certain people in these committees. A non-government organisation, Kalpvriksh Environment Action Group, in an article had questioned the neutrality of decisions taken by an ex-secretary of the Ministry of Power as an EAC chairman, while being on the governing board of hydro power developers. In another such appointment, the head of a leading NGO, also a representative of an industry association, was on an environmental committee. Ramesh agreed that some decisions may be taken under the influence of the industry and members were also selected to favour a select few. “I have got ministers and members of Parliament badgering me on specific names to be put into those committees. Two ministers and four MPs have spoken to me for pushing the name of a person as the chairman of one such committee,” he said. In another such published case, on July 26, 2007, an environment clearance was granted by an EAC committee on mining, chaired by a retired IAS official who was also director of four mining companies. “Shoddy is a mild word for what goes on,” he said. “Most people think it is only a formality,” said Ramesh. “There is a lot of ‘golmaal’. Public hearings are not held and decisions are doctored,” he said in a scathing indictment of the present process of clearances. Proposed new members for the committees have been asked to declare their conflict of interest before finalising the list. In addition, Ramesh has also put an end to the system where each expert appraisal committee worked in isolation. So, project proponents often took separate environment clearances, with no one looking at the project in totality. The clearance for work in a coastal zone has now been clubbed with environment clearance. Projects that involve both environment and forestry clearance will no longer be given piecemeal clearance as was done in the past. Power projects, for instance, will require an integrated clearance. “No environment clearance will be given without looking at forest clearance. If you give environment clearance to a power project, it would also need a clearance under the Forest Rights Act, as coal mines would be in a forest area,” said Ramesh.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/environment-clearance-panels-set-for-rejig/393857/)

Minister seeks environment impact study on mining

Thiruvananthapuram, May 6, 2010: Kerala minister for Co-operation and Coir G Sudhakaran today appealed to Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to take steps to stop all mining activities in the south-west coastal region of Alappuzha district and conduct a study on its environmental impact. In a letter to the Chief Minister, Sudhakaran said the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) which conducted a preliminary study in the area, had opined that there was large-scale environmental exploitation in the region with the uncontrolled mining of sand, laterite and removal of mud. Palamel grama panchayat president S Saji had submitted a memorandum to the minister, seeking urgent steps to stop mining in the region which was "causing natural imbalances". The mining was meant to help only real estate businessmen, and ordinary people who depend on farming for their livelihood were suffering in the area, he alleged in the letter.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Thirupuram/Minister-seeks-environment-impact-study-on-mining/articleshow/5894596.cms)

Orissa lifts ban on mineral transportation by rail

Bhubaneswar, May 5, 2010: The Orissa government on Saturday lifted prohibitory orders on three railway sidings and allowed minerals movement by rail to restart. At least five rakes from the sidings in mineral rich Keonjhar district left for their destination on Sunday. Keonjhar district police chief Ashish Singh told FE that the situation in the three railways sidings has become normal. ‘‘The prohibitory orders have been lifted since Saturday evening,’’ he added.  Movement of minerals had come to a halt since March 5, 2010 as the Keonjhar district administration promulgated Section 144 of the CrPC in and around the premise of three railway sidings—Barbil, Bansapani and Jhurudi. The government action came after detection of large-scale illegal movement of minerals from the mines by railway rakes from these sidings.  Joda deputy director mines (DDM) Umesh Jena said the five detained rakes have been released and left for West Bengal and Paradip port. The DDM said that 1.84 lakh tonne out of 3.82 lakh tonne mineral received was found to be illegally removed from the mines.  The illegally mined mineral has been seized by the mines department, he said, adding, permissions are being given for the remaining 1.98 lakh tonne for transporation by railway rakes.  The state government and railways have recently arrived at an agreement to go in for joint verification of ore transporation from railway sidings. As per the new mechanism, the railway rakes would be alloted to the consignee only on the recommendation of the DDM. Moreover, the railway authorities would receive the minerals at the sidings only after verification of the transit permit.

(Source:http://www.financialexpress.com/news/orissa-lifts-ban-on-mineral-transportation-by-rail/614502/)

Illegal Mining

May 5, 2010:The Minister of Mines and Development of North Eastern Region Shri B.K. Handique has said that the assistance of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other remote sensing agencies have been sought to obtain satellite imagery on areas of mining in some States like Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, etc. In a particular instance in Orissa, the Indian Bureau of Mines detected illegal mining in Keonjhar district using the satellite imagery and based on this, the State Government was able to initiate action against illegal miners. The Central Government has also advised the State Governments to use satellite imagery for detection of illegal mining as part of comprehensive strategy to curb illegal mining. The likely cost of satellite imagery is estimated at Rs. 50-60 lakhs per district. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today he said, State Governments as the owners of minerals grant mineral concessions. However, in case of First Schedule minerals, prior approval of Central Government is necessary before grant of mineral concession. A list of prior approvals given by the Central Government is available on website of Ministry of Mines and so far it has not come to the notice of Central Government that companies involved in illegal mining operations have been given prior approval. The Minister said, some instances of illegal mining of minerals have come to the notice of the Government in various parts of the country. The Central Government has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to empower the state Governments to take action against illegal mining by giving them powers to enter and inspect any mine, penalize transportation and storage of illegal mined materials, confiscate illegally mined minerals, tools, equipment and vehicles, and frame separate Rules under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 for curbing illegal mining. This was followed by regular monitoring by Central Government of the action taken by the State Governments. Recently, all the State Governments have been requested to prepare an Action Plan using modern technology to curb illegal mining. Further, a Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee has been set up to ensure elimination of delays in grant of mineral concessions. A draft State Mineral Policy has also been circulated to all the State Governments. Shri Handique said, as per available information, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) conducted a total of 1978 inspections (till February 2010) in the year 2009-10 and prosecution cases launched in 23 cases and six mines suspended. Further a Task Force was constituted in the IBM which conducted inspection in 106 mines in Orissa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and has suspended mining operations in 60 mines for deviation in approved Mining Plan in respect of production, location of pit, overburden production and non-submission of Mining Plan/Mining Scheme, and violation notices have been issued to 28 mines. The State Governments have stopped issuing transport permit (royalty pass) for suspended mines.

(Source:http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=61418)

Indian iron ore mining mess - 10 miners on block in Karnataka

May 5, 2010: ET reported that the Karnataka government has started legal proceedings against 10 iron ore mining firms, which are part of larger companies, for providing inaccurate production and pricing figures. The alleged misleading information has caused a royalty revenue loss of about INR 5,088 crore. The southern regional office of the Indian Bureau of Mines, one of the nodal bodies under the ministry of mines, has issued show cause notices to 10 companies in Karnataka, including firms indirectly owned by the powerful Reddy brothers and by other larger mining companies, for violation of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988. The firms named in the show cause notices include Hind Traders, NR Mining, Sandur Manganese & Iron Ore, MBT, Karnataka Mining Company, Kanhaiyalal Dudheria, Mineral Enterprises, Karthikeya Mineral & Iron Ore and Nadeem Minerals. While the violations relate to changes in mining plans after they have been submitted to IBM, investigations have also been initiated to determine under invoicing to avoid full payment of royalty. Mr Ivan Khess regional controller of mines (south) of IBM told ET that “These companies have been issued show cause notices for not conforming to the mining plans that had been submitted earlier.” These show cause notices follow a series of raids conducted on the stockyards of various mining companies last week. The notices also come in the wake of a Survey of India report tabled before the Supreme Court showing illegal mining by OMC, which had extended operations beyond its lease area.

(Source:http://www.steelguru.com/news/index/MTQ0Mjkz/Indian_iron_ore_mining_mess_-_10_miners_on_block_in_Karnataka.html)

NMDC to fix export deals by June: Report

New Delhi, May 5, 2010: Largest Indian iron ore miner NMDC Ltd and state-run trader MMTC Ltd will finalise iron ore export deals by the end of this month, or early in June, the Business Line reported on Wednesday. Senior officials from the two companies and from the Ministry of Mines will visit Japan and Korea towards the end of May, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources. NMDC, which sells a small part of its iron ore production mainly to Japan and Korea under long-term deals, would wait for Australian miners to complete their negotiations so that their prices can be used as a benchmark, it said.

(Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/NMDC-to-fix-export-deals-by-June-Report/articleshow/5892357.cms)

New commission sought to review mineral royalty rates

New Delhi, May 5, 2010: In a move aimed at dissuading the mining community from profiteering and virtually regulating the royalty system on iron ore, the Centre is likely to seek the Parliament’s approval for setting up a National Mineral Royalty Commission (NMRC). The commission, among other things, would review the royalty rates for major minerals and re-visit the guidelines to introduce calculation of rates on an ad valorem basis periodically. The mines ministry has inserted a new clause in the Draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 to be taken to the Parliament, wherein it has proposed to set up the NMRC “to suggest progressive royalty rates for various minerals having regard to international practices and also to suggest mechanisms to improve royalty realizations and penal action for failure to pay royalty on the minerals extracted,” a top union mines ministry official told The Indian Express. This the ministry has done to apparently restrain from profiteering the miners who have been earning substantial revenues from exporting minerals, mainly iron ore at spot rates. The steel industry has been complaining from time to time that iron ore was a finite resource and was likely to exhaust within the next 25-30 years if it was not utilized in a just manner in view of the mega expansions announced by various utilities. According to the ministry’s proposal, “the NMRC would suggest suitable mechanisms to moderate royalty to support investments in remote areas for induction of special technology or for promoting mineral beneficiation or to produce downstream products of strategic value.” The government has notified a new royalty regime on August 2009 according to which currently the royalty for iron ore is levied at the rate of 10 per cent on an ad valorem basis on the sale price. But the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), the apex body of miners, found it “surprising that for the first time since the formulation of the MMDR Act (1948, 1957 and subsequent amendments), the industry was not taken on Board of the National Mineral Royalty Commission.” “In our country, the nature of the bureaucracy is such that it goes on shifting and has more of a journalistic approach. Its knowledge is limited and arbitrary and immune to the effects of the repercussions on the health of the industry. Its recommendations would be usury in nature and will result in generating more illegal mining rather than attracting domestic investment or FDI from serious investors,” the Federation said in its comments to the ministry on the Draft MMDR Act.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-commission-sought-to-review-mineral-royalty-rates/614625/0)

Royalty Loss at 5K CR

Govt puts K’taka miners on notice for false numbers

Mumbai / Bangalore, May 5, 2010: The government has started legal proceedings against 10 iron ore mining firms, which are part of larger companies, for providing inaccurate production and pricing figures. The alleged misleading information has caused a royalty revenue loss of about Rs 5,088 crore, people close to the development said. The southern regional office of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), one of the nodal bodies under the ministry of mines, has issued showcause notices to 10 companies in Karnataka, including firms indirectly owned by the powerful Reddy brothers and by other larger mining companies, for violation of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988. The Reddy brothers—G Karunakara Reddy, G Somashekar Reddy and G Janardhan Reddy—own the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) that indirectly owns some of the entities named in the show-cause notices. OMC officials could not be contacted for comment. The firms named in the showcause notices include Hind Traders, NR Mining, Sandur Manganese & Iron Ore, MBT, Karnataka Mining Company, Kanhaiyalal Dudheria, Mineral Enterprises, Karthikeya Mineral & Iron Ore and Nadeem Minerals. While the violations relate to changes in mining plans after they have been submitted to IBM, investigations have also been initiated to determine under-invoicing to avoid full payment of royalty, said people familiar with the development. Royalty is fixed by IBM based on the data provided by the mining companies. “These companies have been issued showcause notices for not conforming to the mining plans that had been submitted earlier,” Ivan Khess, regional controller of mines (south) of IBM, told ET. These show-cause notices follow a series of raids conducted on the stockyards of various mining companies last week. The notices also come in the wake of a Survey of India report tabled before the Supreme Court showing illegal mining by OMC, which had extended operations beyond its lease area. “Miners declare lower prices to the IBM, so that they may pay less royalty,” said a person associated with the steel industry. Karnataka leads in non-captive mining According to a Mineral Conservation and Development Rules report for January, the average sale value of iron ore during that period for the mineral with grade of 62-65% Fe (ferrous content) fines was Rs 1,130 per tonne. However, purchase invoices of at least two large steel companies that buy iron ore from outside show the rate at which the mineral was bought to be Rs 3,300 per tonne. Royalty rates, which is currently pegged at about Rs 150 per tonne for common-grade ore, are fixed by IBM irrespective of the usage, be it for captive consumption or for commercial use.

(Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com)

India moves to protect coal reserves

New Delhi, May 4, 2010: Mining companies in India will be blocked from tapping up to a third of the country's biggest coal reserves after the Congress party-led government declared them "no-go" areas for mining due to their environmental sensitivity. Jairam Ramesh, the environment minister, told the Financial Times that the decision to ban coal mining in dense forest areas is part of an attempt to better regulate India's mining industry, which has operated with little regard for its environmental and social consequences. "I cannot in clear conscience clear these projects in the 'no-go areas'," he said. The move by the Ministry of the Environment and Forests applies to up to 35 per cent of the country's coal reserves. It has caused anger among Indian power project developers and mining companies, such as Essar, newly listed in London, state-owned Coal India, Reliance and Adani. Mr Ramesh admitted that some companies had received "in principle" approval several years ago to mine in areas now declared off-limits. "Companies are agitated," said an executive at one infrastructure firm. "Many have already ordered equipment and moved forward on this basis." India is the world's third largest producer of coal and lignite, but needs double its production over the next decade to meet the rising demand for electricity. Mr Ramesh acknowledged his new zoning plan would mean Asia's third-largest economy would have to import more coal, but insisted that the move is crucial to save India's natural habitats. "It's all very well to say environment and development have to go hand in hand, but what are the practical implications of that?" he said. "The practical implications are that there will be instances were you say yes; there will be instances where you say 'yes, but' and there will be instances where you say 'no'." Mr Ramesh said he favoured applying similar criteria to other mineral resources, and he has also imposed a blanket ban on mining in the coastal state of Goa, a popular tourist destination. Much of India's mineral wealth lies in densely-forested, remote areas inhabited by poor tribal people. Radical Maoist insurgents have built up a strong influence in these areas, partly by promising to protect these lands from corporate incursion. Mr Ramesh said getting environmental clearance for mining projects was traditionally merely a "formality" and companies "found creative ways of getting around it". But he says India can no longer afford to approve every proposed mine. "There are areas where mining has clearly exceeded the carrying capacity," he said. The ministry will also soon make a decision on whether to allow Vedanta, the UK-listed miner, to go ahead with a highly controversial bauxite mine that has been criticised by ethical investors, such as the Church of England, and environmental activists. Mr Ramesh blamed India's "pathetic" track record of resettling those who lost land to mining projects for helping to fuel the Maoist insurgency now raging in mineral-rich central and eastern India. The stand is backed by Sonia Gandhi, the president of the ruling Congress party.

(Source:http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/56c6e816-5715-11df-aaff-00144feab49a.html)

India to restrict mining in forests: report

New Delhi, May 4, 2010: India is set to prevent top mining firms from tapping 35 percent of the country's coal reserves due to environmental concerns in forested areas, the Financial Times reported Tuesday. The decision to make the reserves "off-limits" is part of plans to better regulate the mining industry, which has paid scant attention to environmental rules in the past, the report said. "I cannot, in clear conscience, clear these projects in the ‘no-go areas,’" Minister Jairam Ramesh told the newspaper in an interview. The deposits are located in some of India's most densely forested and biologically rich and diverse regions that are inhabited by poor tribal people -- areas that are also strongholds of Maoist insurgents. India could no longer afford to approve every proposed mine, Ramesh said, adding: "There are areas where mining has clearly exceeded the carrying capacity." This means privately held firms like Essar -- which has just listed in London -- Reliance and Adani, besides state-owned Coal India, will be prevented from accessing the deposits.  Some of the projects had received approval "in principle" several years ago to mine in areas now to be declared off-limits, the report said. Ramesh admitted his new plan would mean Asia’s third-largest economy would have to import more coal, but insisted the decision was crucial to save India’s natural habitats. The government's new stance looks set to upset mining firms and power project developers. "Companies are agitated," the Financial Times quoted an unidentified executive from an infrastructure firm as saying. "Many have already ordered equipment and moved forward on this basis." But Ramesh was unmoved. "It’s all very well to say environment and development have to go hand in hand, but what are the practical implications of that?" he said adding he favoured applying similar criteria to other mineral resources. India is the world’s third-largest producer of coal and lignite.

(Source:http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/International/2010/5/81707/)

Opposition to uranium mining gains momentum
Tura, May 2, 2010: Opposition to uranium mining inside Balpakram National Park in South Garo Hills is gaining momentum with all major NGOs along with student and social groups coming together to protest the move by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to go ahead with its project. The Garo Students Union and the United Achik Peace Forum (UAPF), a conglomerate of all leading civil societies, have dispatched urgent petitions to the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, seeking his intervention to stop the proposed uranium exploration at Balpakram National Park. The GSU and the UAPF have pointed out that the decision to denotify an 8 km stretch of the Rongcheng Plateau inside the national park is a pre-step to drilling which ought to be opposed. The GSU and the Forum further stated that mining in any form inside the national park would be considered sacrilegious.  Another important aspect that the Forum has put forward to the Environment Minister is the danger to India’s national animal – the Royal Bengal Tiger – that is already endangered and has a dwindling population inside the Park. “The World Wildlife Foundation has put the Royal Bengal Tiger on the endangered list and the massive “Save the Tiger” campaign has been launched and has gathered momentum. It is the duty of the Union Government to capitalise on the campaign and not sabotage it,” stated the Forum in its letter to Ramesh. The danger to human health from uranium mining in Garo Hills was also raised in its letter. The Forum has expressed concern over contamination of the air, land and the streams from radioactive substances should mining be given a go ahead. The Forum has resolved to oppose in strongest terms the decision to denotify the 8 km stretch of Balpakram National Park and exploratory drilling by the DAE. It has also resolved to request the Government of India to stop the proposed exploitation of uranium at Balpakram based on the facts stated aand premonition of the perceived consequences.

(Source:http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=may0310/oth05)

 Deep-sea mining: India takes the plunge

Chennai, May 2, 2010: In a major milestone for the country’s quest for deep-sea mining, India’s Remotely Operable Vehicle (ROV) successfully touched 5,289 metre below sea level in Indian Ocean and collected samples of manganese nodules. “It is a major achievement towards energy security of the country. ROV expedition was launched to map the area. This will not only help in replicating the system but also identify the huge concentration of mineral wealth in the deep ocean. It will also boost research on drugs to cure cancer and diabetes besides identifying gas hydrates to satisfy our energy needs,” said Earth Sciences Minister Prithviraj Chauhan on Saturday. Addressing a press conference at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, he said the ROV, developed by NIOT, reached the sea-bed at a depth of 5,289 metres on April 17, after the initial trial on April 14 failed. The location was approximately 2,000 km south of Kanyakumari. The pressure below the sea level was 600 times more than the normal level. “The objective was to qualify the unmanned work class remotely operable vehicle (ROSUB 60000) at 5,000 metre water depth at Poly Metallic Nodule site at Central Indian Ocean Basin.

(Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/deep-sea-mining-india-takes-the-plunge/170088.html)

Centre for sand mining regulation

New Delhi, May 1, 2010: The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) wants to bring sand, stone, marble and limestone under the ambit of a strict regulatory regime to stop illegal and unregulated mining of these natural resources.

Taking note of the adverse impact on environment due to the rampant mining of these minor minerals, a high-level committee appointed by the ministry has recommended framing model mineral concession rules to ensure scientific and sustainable mining. In March 2009, the Centre constituted a committee headed by Vijay Sharma, Environment and Forests Secretary, to evolve model guidelines regarding the environmental aspects of quarrying minor minerals. In its report, the committee said for sand mining on river beds, specified river stretches should be identified and permits should be granted stretch-wise to ensure that lease holders follow safeguard measures and authorities concerned are monitoring it. The depth of mining should be restricted to three metres or at the water level, whichever is less. For carrying out mining near any bridge or embankment, the required safety zone should be worked out on a case to case basis, taking into account the structural parameters, location aspects and flow rate. However, no mining should be allowed in the safety zone, the committee said.  Re-examining the classification of minor and major minerals, uniformity in size of mines across the country, a minimum five-year period for mining leases, cluster approach for mines, plan for reclamation and rehabilitation of mining areas are among the other steps suggested by the committee. In India, the classification of minerals into minor and major is done on the basis of end-use. While the Centre gives no objection certificate for mining major minerals like iron ore and coal, the state governments are authorised to take a decision on minor minerals.

(Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/67024/centre-sand-mining-regulation.html)