CURRENT NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2009

 

NH-33 fire tamed, claims CCL

Ranchi, September 30, 2009: The underground fire in Kujju along the Ranchi-Patna highway (NH-33) has been tamed, well almost, claims Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), but it is still unclear whether the stretch is safe for traffic. According to a press statement released by the company, the underground temperature in the affected zone, which was as high as 170°C on August 19, came down to 76°C by September 9. Recent temperature records of the area have established the fact. CCL officials claimed to have spent a whopping Rs 111.32 lakh in taming the fire on the highway.  CCl initiated round-the-clock fire fighting measures by first injecting water mixed with sodium silicate and di-ammonium phosphate through boreholes for cooling down the seat of the blaze. The exercise was carried out under the guidance of scientists of Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad, till August 21. About 5,000 litres of sodium silicate and 500kg of di-ammonium phosphate were used. From August 22, liquid nitrogen mixed with foaming agents was injected through boreholes for cooling and blanketing of the fire zone.  But, engineer-in-chief of the state road construction department Vijay Kumar said they were yet to ascertain whether the Kujju stretch on NH-33 was safe for vehicles. “We may engage experts to assess the situation,” he added. The CCL management claimed that since 1999, they had lodged several FIRs against illegal mining, which was the cause of the blaze. With the help of the administration, illegal openings were covered time and again. But illegal mining never stopped. Kumar told The Telegraph that the tendering process to finalise a contractor to build a temporary diversion bypassing the fire zone had started. Construction of the temporary diversion will cost around Rs 9 crore and CCL has already hinted that it would not bear the entire expenditure. At present, the Charhi-Ghato-Nayamore detour is being used by all kinds of vehicles, but the route is not safe for heavy vehicles.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090930/jsp/jharkhand/story_11555802.jsp)

Govt threatens to cancel block allotted to GVK, ArcelorMittal

New Delhi September 30, 2009: The government has threatened to cancel the coal block alloted jointly to ArcelorMittal and GVK Power in Jharkhand for the inordinate delay in developing the property. The coal ministry served notices on September 23 to both the companies and sought their replies within 15 days, seeking reasons for the delay in developing the mines allotted for captive use. “In spite of a passage of almost one-and-a-half years, no serious effort has been made by your company to develop the coal block according to the milestone chart appended to the allotment letter. Consequently, the development of the coal block has been inordinately delayed,” the ministry said in the letter dated September 23. The ministry said the exploration had not begun as yet, whereas it should have been completed by now, according to the time schedule for development of the block.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/govt-threatens-to-cancel-block-allotted-to-gvk-arcelormittal/371726/)

State asks mining companies to reduce explosives stock

Bhubaneswar September 30, 2009:  In view of the growing Naxal threat in the state, the Orissa government today advised the companies using explosives for mining purposes to reduce the stock to a level sufficient for only 3-4 days. This will pre-empt any attempt by the left wing extremists to snatch away huge quantity of explosives being used by the mining companies. Besides, the companies were sounded out to ensure that the explosive vans move only during the day time with adequate security. While more personnel should be deployed by the mining companies for fortification of magzines, other measures like stock verifications at regular interval, adequate lighting in the mining areas should be taken up by them. The Orissa government has already issued guidelines on security of magazines after the naxal attack on Nalco’s Panchpatmali bauxite mines.  The preparedness of the mining companies to face the naxal attack and their explosives storage and transportation facilities were reviewed in a high level meeting chaired by the chief secretary T K Mishra. Sources said, representatives of various mining companies like Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Nalco, Mahanadi Coalfields, Essel Mining, Rungta Mines, Tata Steel participated in the meeting.  While the national public sector units like SAIL and Nalco have the cover of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), MCL is in the process of getting the cover for its mines located at Talcher, Angul and Jharsuguda.“We have requested the Director General of CISF and hope to get the cover for our coal mines located at Talcher, Angul and Jharsuguda”, a MCL official said.  Meanwhile, the process for constitution of a State Industrial Security Force (SISF), in line with the CISF, has taken off with the state home department readying the necessary bill for the purpose. The bill may be tabled in the next session of the state assembly, sources added.  The government has decided to factor in the security concerns at the time of issue of ‘no objection certificate (NOC)’ by the district collectors for setting up of magazine houses in their respective areas of operation. While the safety aspects were being looked at for magazine dumps earlier, the security aspects will now be factored into. Though the office of the Controller of Explosives oversees the functioning of the magazine dumps, the state government will now be involved in securing the place which was not being done earlier.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-asks-mining-companies-to-reduce-explosives-stock/371644/)

Rs 950cr on way to save forest land

Jamshedpur, September 29, 2009: Jharkhand is all set to get Rs. 950 crore from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (Campa) to rejuvenate over 4,000 hectares of forests as a part of a nation-wide effort to promote afforestation in areas where forest land was used up for development projects. In Jharkhand, 4,700 hectares of land, mostly in districts of Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Giridih and Chatra, have been identified for various afforestation programmes, the proposal for which has already been sent to the Union ministry of environment and forests. “We hope to get a notification soon,” said C.R. Sahay, the principal chief conservator of forests, who will be co-ordinating the programme in the state. “Work should start from October or November. Of course we will have to seek the approval of a number of authorities in between, after which the money will come to the state Campa account,” he added. The regeneration project in the districts would concentrate on compensatory afforestation in double degraded land, safety zone reclamation around a 7.5-metre radius of a mining area, catchment area treatment and tree plantation below transmission lines.  Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2008, was introduced by the Union ministry of environment and forests to streamline efforts at regenerating forests by setting up Campa which would be responsible for managing the fund and deciding on issues such as compensation or identifying land for afforestation.  One of the main objectives of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, was to promote afforestation to compensate for the massive diversion of forestland for development. But with states having failed miserably in regenerating forests, the Supreme Court in 2002 asked the Centre to set up a separate compensatory fund. From 2002, states have been contributing to the fund that has so far remained with the Centre. This money will now go back to the states in phases for conducting afforestation programmes. The first tranche will be around 10 per cent of the corpus. The total amount to be disbursed — via a central ad hoc Campa — for all states was around Rs 11,000 crore. States would also have its own Campa with a governing, steering and executive committee through which the funds would be channelled. And in order to keep a check on its use, the Centre has formed an advisory council to be headed by Jairam Ramesh, the Union minister of state for environment and forests.  The comptroller and auditor-general of India will undertake audits both at the Centre and at the state ensuring proper utilisation of funds.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090930/jsp/frontpage/story_11472313.jsp)

ArcelorMittal risks losing coal block

New Delhi, September 29, 2009: The world’s biggest steel producer ArcelorMittal runs the risk of losing its allocated coal mines if they continue to be idle. Intensifying its drive to enforce accountability on companies that have kept their blocks of coal mines idle, the coal ministry has threatened ArcelorMittal and Andhra Pradesh-headquartered GVK Power of de-allocating the Seregarha block jointly allocated to them. The ministry has issued a notice jointly to steel tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal’s company ArcelorMittal and GVK Power (Goindwal Sahib) for failing to develop the Seregarha block in Jharkhand, which has reserves of nearly 200 million tonne. Notices have been sent also to several other power and mining companies run by states for delaying production from their blocks. “We have no other option except to act strongly against the companies idling on their blocks. What do we do? We have reminded them several times to expressly initiate measures to meet their promised milestones, but during the review meetings they are clueless,” a ministry official said.  If the ministry has its way, at least four companies may lose their blocks besides forfeiting their bank guarantees. Among these, 25 are state-run companies, while 15 are private firms.  Elaborating on the “show-cause” notice served on Arcelor Mittal and GVK Power, the official said during review meetings on October 15-16 last year, the companies were told that their progress was very slow “and there seemed to be no intention on the part of the allocatees to develop the block”.  Then in another review meeting held on June 22 and 23, the ministry found out that they had not even secured the prospecting licence and that the exploration had not yet begun, “As per the time schedule for development of the block, it should be nearing completion by now,” the official said.  In the notice served jointly on these two companies, the ministry observed, “In spite of a passage of almost 1.5 years, no serious efforts has been made by your company to develop the coal block as per the milestone chart appended to the allotment letter. Consequently, the development of the coal block has been inordinately delayed.”   The letter served on September 23 has asked the companies to furnish their replies within 15 days, failing which the ministry would initiate necessary action for de-allocation of the Seregarha coal block. Of the 200 MT reserves, Arcelor Mittal wanted to utilise 103.50 MT for its captive power plant at Seraikela in Jharkhand, while independent power producer GVK wants 82.80 MT coal for its 600 MW plant at Goindwal Sahib in Punjab.  Of the 191 blocks allocated so far, barely a dozen have reached the envisaged production levels. The remaining blocks — some of which were allotted as early as 1998 — have either not secured environmental clearances or have not submitted acceptable mining plans to the government.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/arcelormittal-risks-losing-coal-block/522614/0)

Khasi council flays uranium mining decision
Shillong, September 26, 2009: The Meghalaya Government’s decision to allow pre-development projects for uranium mining at Wahkaji was today criticised by a traditional Khasi outfit on grounds that it posed environmental hazards. Spokesman and adviser of the Federation of Twenty Five Khasi States of Meghalaya, John F Kharshiing said the White Paper submitted by Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to the erstwhile Donkupar Roy government was unsatisfactory and inadequate as the project posed serious health and environmental hazards. A study of the White Paper revealed that project activity would require large uninterrupted supply of water for which water resources in and around the project area would be tapped. This would eventually cause rivers and streams around the uranium mining area to be contaminated and become unfit for human consumption. “This is a matter which needs study by independent professionals ... It is beyond dispute that the large scale uranium mining would have a long term impact on the quality of the water and its sources as they are likely to face ecological damage,” he said. Kharshiing in his memorandum to Chief Minister DD Lapang yesterday said he has deep concern about the effects of radiation on the health of the people and on birds and animals in Koh Tyllaw sanctuary due to opencast mining of uranium. The UCIL has in its white paper said that it would have to carry out an environmental surveillance of the area surrounding the proposed project of upto a 10 km radius to assess the impact of mining operations, including periodical checking of the level of radiation.

(Source:http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=sep2709/at08)

Khasi outfit criticises Meghalaya govt's nod to UCIL

Shillong, September 26, 2009: The Meghalaya government's decision to allow pre-development projects for uranium mining at Wahkaji was today criticised by a traditional Khasi outfit on grounds that it posed environmental hazards. Spokesman and adviser of the Federation of Twenty Five Khasi States of Meghalaya, John F Kharshiing said the white paper submitted by Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to the erstwhile Donkupar Roy government was unsatisfactory and inadequate as the project posed serious health and environmental hazards. A study of the white paper revealed that project activity would require large uninterrupted supply of water for which water resources in and around the project area would be tapped.  This would eventually cause rivers and streams around the uranium mining area to be contaminated and become unfit for human consumption. "This is a matter which needs study by independent professionals ...

(Source:http://www.ptinews.com/news/301723_Khasi-outfit-criticises-Meghalaya-govt-s-nod-to-UCIL)

Agitation threat over Jharia fire

Dhanbad, September 25, 2009: Concerned over the underground fire that is threatening to singe the Jharia township, social organisations here are mulling an agitation if steps to control the blaze are not taken without delay. Jharia Coalfield Bachao Samiti, the frontal organisation fighting against evacuation of the township, has written to the authorities including BCCL, Directorate General of Mines Safety and Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research. The safety of RSP College, established by the erstwhile king of Jharia estate more than five decades ago, has also been mentioned in the letter.  Meanwhile, principal-in-charge of RSP College Suresh Kumar Agarwal has once again drawn the attention of the higher authorities including vice-chancellor of Vinoba Bhave University, HRD secretary, higher education director and principal secretary to the governor regarding the underground fire inching towards the college. Agarwal said the fire was 80 metres away from the college and was approaching towards the campus at the rate of 1.2 meters per month and immediate trench cutting was necessary to stop the spread of fire.  Giving details of the letter, secretary of the samiti M.L. Khanna said: “We have requested BCCL to take steps to ensure safety of the college and bore holes to know the exact status of fire.” The samiti has also raised fingers at the lackadaisical approach of the coal company towards sand stowing near the college and sought the reasons for leaving out seam Nos. 7 and 8 from stowing, while it was done in seam Nos. 9 and 10. In a separate letter, the samiti has also sought the details of the steps taken by the coal company to divert the course of Joria river to act as a divider between the underground fire and Jharia township in Kujama area. Principal of RSP College, Jharia, S.K. Agarwal said that as he was the head of the institute, it was his duty to look into the safety of his student and he had written to higher authorities only to remind them of the situation.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090925/jsp/jharkhand/story_11537647.jsp)

Mining contractors threaten stir

Talcher, September 25, 2009: : MCL Mining Contractors’ Association has threatened to withdraw its services from October 1 unless its three main grievances are redressed by this month-end. The contractors are engaged in key mining works like surface mining operation, over burden removal, coal transportation and wagon loading works of the company in both Talcher and IB valley. The main demands are reimbursement of service tax levied on the contractors after flaoting of tender, payment of escalation in wages and payment of escalation charge of tyres, lubricants and spare parts of the vehicles engaged in various mining and transportation works. Secretary of the association S.K.Satpathy told a press conference yesterday that unlike in other central public sector undertakings, the mining contractors are harassed in MCL. Satpathy further said service tax, which is not mentioned in the tender, was levied by government in 2002 during the pendency of the contract. It should be borne by the principal employer but MCL has refused to do it even though other Coal India Limited (CIL) companies have been reimbursing it to their contractors, he said. Similarly, he said in case of escalation of wages of workers, price hike of diesel, lubricant, tyres and other required materials, MCL has refused to pay the hiked amount violating all norms. He said notice inviting tenders are one-sided and framed to burden the contractors with penalties. The association president Narendra Singh Malhotra and vice-president Sawai Singh Sekhawat also addressed the media.

(Source:http://www.expressbuzz.com)

Vigilance crackdown on Unchabali mines

Bhubaneswar, September 25, 2009:  Vigilance sleuths today raided the Unchabali iron and manganese mines at Joda in Keonjhar district in connection with multi-crore mining scam. Application for the mine was submitted in the name of Indrani Patnaik in 1999. Surface right was granted to the applicant in 2008. The raid was conducted in the presence of geologists, mining and revenue officials at Unchabali Mahaparbat near Joda. The mine area is spread over 106 hectares. SP, Vigilance, Debdutt Patnaik told this paper that around four lakh tonne iron ore has been extracted from the mine out of which 3.5 lakh tonne was transported out. The value of the ore illegally mined and transported is estimated at Rs 50 crore. He said the Forest Department officials have been contacted to find out whether mining has been done from the forest land in the mine area. Besides, it would also be ascertained as to why mines adjacent to this one were not leased out in the last 10 years. The Vigilance sleuths found that mining was carried out illegally from the mines during the last one year after the mine owner got the surface rights. The SP said simultaneous raids were also conducted in the offices of Triveni Movers Private Limited, engaged by the mine owner for extraction of ore and Patnaik Mineral Private Limited at Joda. Patnaik said records pertaining to the case were seized by the Vigilance from the office of the Director of Mines, Bhubaneswar, Collector, Keonjhar and divisional forest officer (DFO), Keonjhar. This is the fifth mining case taken up by the vigilance for inquiry into the multi-crore scam. Meanwhile, Vigilance today arrested Bijay Kumar Sahu, mining officer, Baripada, in connection with the Kasiabeda mining scam. He was remanded in judicial custody at Balasore till October 6.  Disproportionate assets cases were also filed against two officials, Madan Mohan Biswal, Deputy Director Mines and Dilip Kumar Beura, Forest Range Officer, Joda, by the Vigilance. These two officials were arrested by the Vigilance in the Ram Bahadur Thakur Limited (RBTL) case and have been placed under suspension.

(Source:http://www.expressbuzz.com)

Vedanta under scrutiny as 100 feared dead at aluminium plant

25 September 2009: The safety policies of the London-listed mining giant Vedanta Resources are set to come under scrutiny after an accident at one of its sites in India killed as many as 100 people on Wednesday. The group has already been blacklisted by some investors over ethical and environmental concerns. The death toll is expected to rise after a chimney collapsed at an aluminium plant in which Vedanta has a 51 per cent stake through its subsidiary Sterlite Industries. Sterlite is the builder at the site in Korba, in the central India state of Chhattisgarh. An investigation is expected, but initial reports blamed bad weather. However, Rajeev Sharma, the south Asian head of the Building and Woodworkers' International union, said that the accident was bad, even by India's poor safety standards: "It is one of the worst accidents in India's recent construction history," he said. Vedanta, which claims to benefit from "relatively low cost of operations and large and inexpensive labour and talent pools", expressed regret but declined to comment further. The accident follows several embarrassing incidents for Vedanta. In 2007, the Norwegian state pension fund sold its shares, saying that being an investor would present an "unacceptable risk of contributing to severe environmental damage and serious or systematic violations of human rights". Survival International, which promotes the rights of tribal peoples, also alleges a bauxite mine intended for the Niyamgiri mountain in India's Orissa state will destroy local forests, while the mountain itself is considered sacred by local tribes. Vedanta says it is committed to the best international standards.

(http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/vedanta-under-scrutiny-as-100-feared-dead-at-aluminium-plant-1792876.html)

These school students have mining dust for company

Panjim, September 25, 2009: The 12 students of Sonshi Government Primary School in Sattari have nothing, but mining dust for company during their school hours. There is no playground or any open space in front of the school. No sooner the students step out of their classrooms they are catapulted into the thick of mining activities. Convenor GOAMAP Sebastian Rodrigues in a presentation held in the city on Wednesday highlighted how five mining companies surrounding the school have violated environmental and all possible laws there are. Rodrigues said the presentation was prepared by one Advocate Krishnendu Mukherjee from Kolkata who has been in Goa for some time. He had done a study on the school two months back during the monsoons, he mentioned. The study shows mining overburden has been dumped upto 10 metres from the steps of the school. There has been no running water in the school ever since Sesa Goa beneficiation  plant started operating next to the school somewhere in 2003. The mining companies surrounding the school are involved in heavy encroachment as the original area, 650 square metre, in which the institution was housed has depleted over the years.  Rodrigues said the Department of Education failed to give any proper response to RTI request concerning educational standards at the school and the Goa State Pollution Control Board didn’t carry any tests on air, water or noise pollution surrounding the institution. During the rainy season one can find polluted rain water near the school because of the mining in its surrounding.  Sonshi Government Primary School was set up in 1964. It has a sole teacher for the last eight years who has been trying hard to get a transfer but the same has been refused.  When questioned if the school could be amalgamated with another government institution, Ramesh Gauns said the next school was at a distance of 9-10 kilometres. There are many reasons why this school can’t be amalgamated with another school, he added. Gauns said there are several such schools that are affected due to mining.  Rodrigues said their aim was to add one more dimension to their campaign by exposing how mining was damaging school infrastructure. “We will do a study and come out with details of schools affected by mining,” he stated.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27738&cid=26)

South ZP demands better infrastructure in mining areas

Margao, September 25, 2009: The South Goa Zilla Panchayat on Wednesday has unanimously demanded that the government to create better infrastructural facilities in the mining areas of the state in terms of roads and other amenities. At a meeting held on Wednesday, members unanimously supported a resolution tabled by ZP member Subhash Faldessai that the government should invest revenue collected from mining companies in the rural villages coming under mining operations. He pointed out that though the state’s countryside coming under the mining belt have been contributed huge revenue to the state treasury, hardly any funds are spent back in the villages to create better infrastructure. For instance, Faldessai stated that the government is yet to build a bypass in Quepem taluka for the transportation of mining ore even though this was a long standing demand of the people as well as the people employed in the mining sector. “Thousands of families are eking out a living on mining related activities, including transportation. If the government had to invest even a fraction of the revenue earned from the mining activity in the rural areas, opposition to mining activity would not have taken place today”, he added. “Hundreds of truck owners pay taxes to the government, but the money is spent in the urban areas of the state by neglecting the villages”, he charged. Meanwhile, the meeting witnessed a debate on the use of grass cutting machines recently procured by the Zilla Panchayat. Some of the members questioned the logic behind handing the machines to the village panchayats, seeking to know whether the local bodies have been made accountable for the same. The question came to the fore when it was pointed out that it would cost minimum Rs 500 on both manpower and fuel to operate the machines per day. Some of the members then suggested to the Chair to go for quotations for manpower and fuel like it was done in the past. ZP member J Santano Rodrigues demanded that the ZP body should take suggestions from the members on the RP 2021.  When Chairperson Cleofacio Dias maintained that the ZP body cannot take any decision, members said the ZP body can accept the suggestions before forwarding the same to the Town and Country Planning department. “The plan has to first go before the gram sabha. The ZP has no major role to Play”, the Chairperson said, even as Rodrigues quoted certain sections which mandates the Zilla Panchayats to play an active role in the preparation of the ZP plan. Meanwhile, the meeting also deliberated on the additional charge held by the incumbent Chief Executive Officer, N S Navti.  Member Nelly Rodrigues that the government should divest the ZP CEO of the charge as the MD of Goa OBC Corporation, while other members demanded that Navti should be transferred from RDA to the ZP, South as the full-fledged CEO. Member Santano Rodrigues said that since the government has notified constitution of the District Planning Committee, the ZP, south should have a full fledged CEO since the latter also holds the additional charge as Member secretary of the  District Planning Committee.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27733&cid=26)

28 mines have no nod to operate: GSPCB

Panjim, September 24, 2009: Twenty-eight mines in Goa are found to be without the necessary “consent to operate” from the Goa State Pollution Control Board, which is investigating whether these mines were still in operation.  Chairman GSPCB Simon de Souza said even though the 28 mines have the necessary environmental clearance they need the consent to operate to comply with all the conditions laid down in the environmental clearance.   De Souza said the board would be issuing show-cause notices to mines which have violated the terms and conditions of its consent to operate. “We would be writing to the Directorate of Mines to find out whether these mines were in operation or not,” he mentioned.   He mentioned on the other side there were some mines that have obtained the necessary consent to operate from the Board but it wasn’t known whether these were operating. We are in the process of finding out, he added. He said these 28 mines without consent to operate are from the 78 to whom the board had written letters asking them to come clear on their forest and wildlife clearances.  “From out of the 78 mines, we have received 57 replies. Evaluation of the replies has revealed that 32 of these mines have no forest clearances and four have replied they don’t require any clearances to operate,” he informed and added, “21 mines haven’t replied.” The chairman said the claims of the four mines stating forest and wildlife clearances were not required to operate have to be investigated.   De Souza said the board hasn’t received any reply from the chief conservator of forests on the 12 mines, the issue of which was raised by legislator Reginaldo Lourenco during the assembly session. “We had written a letter to the CCF some time back asking for information on the clearances of these mines,” he stated. He said the Department of Science and Technology had also sounded the board about these 12 mines. “We would be now writing to the Department of Science and Technology communicating to it that the CCF has not bothered to reply to the board with the information,” he mentioned. Earlier the board had asked 13 mines to suspend operations for not having the necessary forest and wildlife clearances. Out of these five had appealed in the administrative tribunal. Out of the five, Sesa Goa mine at Codlim managed to obtain a stay on the closure directive.  The other four mines – three belonging to V S Dempo and Hiru Bambo Gawas – are awaiting a hearing into their pleas on September 25.  Another two mines – Kunda Gharse (Tudou village, Sanguem) and Manuel D’Costa (Patiem, Uguem, Sanguem) – of these 13 have obtained the necessary forest clearances as laid down by the board.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27798&cid=2)

Scientists call for end to export of ores

Bhubaneswar, September 24, 2009: Scientists and mining experts have called for an end to export of ores and minerals and sought an appropriate national policy for the efficient management of mineral resources of the country.  Speaking on the sidelines of a national symposium on “Raw Materials & Energy Management of Mineral Based Industries” organized by Institute of Advance Technology and Environment Studies (IATES), eminent scientist and former director general of Council of Scientist and Industrial Research [CSIR] P K Jena on Thursday said rampant export of raw minerals had been going on since several years and it needed to be stopped forthwith to conserve them for the posterity.  “We need to stop export of raw mineral resources forthwith. Mineral resources are not inexhaustible. If we go on exploiting our mineral resources at the present rate, they will be finished within next few decades and the country will head towards a colossal disaster,” warned Dr Jena.  “Mineral resources are vital for our industrial and socio-economic development. Increase in population along with advancement of industrialization, has resulted in growth in consumption or ore and minerals which are not replenishable,” he said, adding, high grade ores mined from earth’s crust had been exhausted. “The country must top exports of all types of ores and try to add value for exports. As mineral resources are non-replensible in nature, all grades of ores have to be harnessed with an integrated mine area development programme”. Mr Jena regretted that there had been no proper implementation of advanced technology and efficient management of mineral resources in the national interest. “China is advancing much faster than India in the industrialization programme, for example like producing ten times of steel what India produces”, he remarked. Mr Jena further said India’s industrial as well as socio, economic development depends on her capability on judicious utilization and conservation of her mineral resources. The ores and minerals are being utilized in major industries such as thermal power plants, integrated iron and steel plants, aluminium and other non-ferrous metal industries and production of a large number of various types of refractories and chemicals. “As these natural resources are non-replensible in nature and as the industries based on these are generating a lot of wastes polluting heavily our environment, it is extremely important to develop environment friendly, zero discharge as well as energy efficient processes for the mineral based industries”, he said.  Out dated technology, careless mining and lack of firm policy and mismanagement, a lot of mineral wealth, particularly the low grade ones and also high grade fines are being wasted or being exported at throw away price, according to Mr Jena. Similarly in the areas of mineral beneficiation and metal extraction, a lot of metal values are lost in tailings, slimes, leached residues, slags, flue dust, scarps etc. in addition to this, a lot of energy is spent in different mining, mineral processing, metal extraction activities.  This also has led to inefficient energy consumption, improper quality control, waste minimization and cost escalation. “In order to compete in global market and to improve the living standard of the people actions and remedial measures have to be taken up in the following areas”, he added. Dr Jena also suggested systematic and sincere efforts to produce non –ferrous metals like copper, nickel, lead, zinc, tin, cobalt etc. and refractive metals like niobium, tantalum, vanadium, tungsten, molybdenum etc, not much available in the country. “We should make these metals from their indigenously available lean and complex ores as well as from the wastes and by products of other industries. We should also make short and long term plans to import ores and minerals as well as the industrial wastes containing these non-ferrous metals and process those in the country to meet our requirements”, Dr Jena remarked.

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

Mining scam: vigilance sleuths conduct raids

Bhubaneswar, September 24, 2009: Even as the Vigilance Department of the State government conducted raids at several places in the course of their investigation into the multi-crore mining scam on Wednesday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a demonstration here demanding that the probe into the scam should be carried out at a fast pace. Holding placards and banners, the activists of the party raised slogans against the mines mafia and demanded that the Centre and the State government should take immediate steps to stop the organised loot of the rich mineral resources of the State.

Illegal mining

Illegal mining and transportation of various minerals was taking place in Keonjhar, Sundargarh and the districts due to faulty minerals policies, the activists said. The leaders who addressed the gathering held all the parties that were in the government in the State in the past responsible for the illegal mining scam. All those involved in illegal mining should be booked and given stringent punishment, they demanded.

Varsity opposed

The CPI (M) leaders and activists also strongly opposed the proposed Vedanta University project near Puri and Sri Sri University near Bhubaneswar. Two bills to facilitate the establishment of the two proposed universities had been passed by the Biju Janata Dal government in a hurry, they alleged. According to sources, the vigilance sleuths raided the houses of several mines owners and officials of the mines department at places such as Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar, Joda and Baripada.A new case had also been registered in connection with illegal mining in Mayurbhanj district, sources said. The new case related to illegal mining at Kasiabeda mines in Mayurbhanj from where minerals worth Rs. 10 crore had been illegal mined and transported. Several opposition parties, however, have been demanding a CBI probe into the mining scam. They were of the view that the vigilance department, being a State government agency, would go by the direction of the government and the culprits would not be brought to the book.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/24/stories/2009092451650300.htm)

2 out of 13 mines get clearances

Panjim, September 24, 2009: Two out of the 13 mines that were asked to suspend operations have obtained the necessary forest clearances as laid down by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, which will issue revocation orders to these firms soon. Officials said the revocation orders are mere formality and both the mines – Kunda Gharse (Tudou village, Sanguem) and Manuel D’Costa (Patiem, Uguem, Sanguem) have begun operations since they have secured the necessary permissions. Out of the 13 mines, five had appealed in the Administrative Tribunal. Out of the five, Sesa Goa mine at Codli managed to obtain a stay on the closure directive and started operations. The other four mines – three belonging to V S Dempo and Hiru Bambo Gawas – are awaiting a hearing into their pleas. The matter is fixed for September 25.GSPCB Chairman Simon de Souza said the Board has not heard from the other remaining mines (from the 13) that were supposed to get the necessary clearances. These mines will not be allowed to operate, he asserted. Meanwhile, the Board was still in the process of assessing replies received from some of the 74 mines that were asked to furnish requisite forest and wildlife clearances required to operate their businesses. 

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27694&cid=26 )

Public agitation gaining ground against illegal mining
Bhubaneswar, September 23, 2009: Determined to expose the nexus of politician, officials and mine owners in looting the minerals, the Civil society in Orissa seems to have geared up to unravel the mystery of multi-crore mining scams in the state through public agitation.  As a first step, the intellectuals, activists, non-government organizations and other stakeholders under the banner of Jana Sammilani has demanded for CBI probe into the scam and formation of independent authority with participation from civil society. Describing the mining scam as the biggest scam ever in the country, Jana Sammilani president, Rabi Das sought pro-active role of civil society to protect minerals from being looted. A meeting of like-minded people has resolved to take the issue to the public domain, he said adding that the Rs 4500 crore mining scam in Orissa could not have happened without involvement of the people at the top position of the power in both the state and the centre. The arrest of several state mining department officials and the admission of union mines minister B K Handique that illegal mining of iron ore, manganese and other valuable mineral resources have been going in the state have confirmed the scam.  And yet, the UPA government’s eerie silence to act against ‘individuals,’ ‘establishment(s)’ and ‘agencies’ involved in such an activity remains inexplicable. The UPA government has been maintaining that since the state government is the custodian of the mines and mineral resources under its jurisdiction, it could not take actions against the culprits not could it order a CBI probe without the recommendations of the state government. Surprisingly, Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik voted overwhelmingly for his “honest” image seems to have also failed to accept the challenge to bring the culprits to the book. He has not only failed to order quick and strong actions to nab the real big sharks involved in the scam, but has also adopted a delaying tactics by ordering a departmental inquiry.  ‘It is a serious matter as Mr Patnaik also is the minister for department of forest and environment. How can illegal mining go on in the forest area without the knowledge of the chief minister?” Mr Das quipped. The Naveen Patnaik government now faces the charges of ‘patronising’ and ‘facilitating’ the ‘plunder’ of mineral resources since it came to power in 2000. This is the main reason for the BJD government resisting to the demand for a CBI probe.  Iron ore and manganese exploited from Joda-Barbil area in Keonjhar district, country’s richest mineral belt, were allegedly transported to China and Bangladesh in illegal manner. The mineral resources, according to reliable sources, were first transported to Nepal via Jharkhand and Bihar. From there, the minerals are exported to China and Bangladesh. Sources in defence circles said iron ore, manganese, bauxite and chromite – which are considered of strategic importance – are being used for making warships, weapons and arsenals. “If India closes its eyes to such blatant looting of its minerals, days are not ahead when enemy countries will be stronger than us and surpass us in stockpiling war materials,” a former Brigadier asked.  In recent past, faced with vehement criticism and pressures from social circles, a ‘reluctant’ Naveen Patnaik conducted vigilance raid in Joda-Barbil region. Although the vigilance found prima facie evidence and arrested half-a-dozen senior officials of the state mines department, it could not do anything to punish the culprits as they were allegedly backed by people in power.  Movement against ‘involvement’ of Naveen Patnaik government and section of UPA leaders in the ‘loot’ of minerals at the cost the country’s security appears to be gaining momentum day by day in with intellectuals organizing seminars and staging demonstrations.

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

Centre admits illegal mining in Orissa

Bhubneswar, September 23, 2009: It's official now. The Union government has admitted illegal mining of iron ore and manganese in Orissa's mineral-rich Keonjhar district. Replying to a letter by Pradesh Congress Committee president K.P. Singhdeo, Union mines minister Bijoy Krishna Handique has said investigation carried out by the Indian Bureau of Investigation (IBM) has found evidence to substantiate illegal mining in the mineral rich-Keonjhar district. "Independently, we had asked the IBM, a subordinate office under the mines ministry, to conduct a detailed detailed investigation into the matter. IBM, after surveying, has found evidence to substantiate illegal mining in the area," the one-page reply dated September 17, 2009 (a copy of the letter is with this newspaper) said. The minister has, however, expressed the Union government's inability to order an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the Rs 4,500-crore mining scam. "A CBI probe can be ordered only on the recommendation of the state government," the minister has clarified. Stating that the state government is the custodian of the minerals under its jurisdiction, Mr Handique has sought to assure that the Centre has taken a "serious view on the matter of illegal mining in the country in general." Emboldened by the Union government's admission of illegal mining, All India Congress Committee general secretary Harendra Mirdha and the PCC president Mr Singhdeo on Tuesday urged the Union government to order a probe into the multi-crore mines scam by the newly constituted National Investigating Agency (NIA). "Illegally exploited minerals such as iron ore, manganese and chromite -which are of strategic importance -- are being clandestinely transported to China and Bangladesh by a racket. As far as my experience goes as a former Brigadier in the Indian Armed Forces, these strategic minerals are being used for making war arsenals, including submarines and fighter jets. Since, the country's security is involved with the illegal exploitation and transportation of minerals, the Government of India should immediately entrust the investigation responsibility to the NIA," Mr Singhdeo said.

(Source:http://epaper.asianage.com/ASIAN/AAGE/2009/09/23/ArticleHtmls/23_09_2009_004_005.shtml?Mode=1)

Govt to soon de-allocate 40 coal blocks from idling companies, forfeit their bank guarantees

New Delhi, September 22, 2009 : Upset with companies idling on their captive coal blocks, the coal ministry is likely to soon begin the process of de-allocating nearly 40 blocks from them and also forfeit their bank guarantees. If the ministry has its way, about 25 public sector undertakings and 15 private companies may have to wash their hands off these blocks, besides being debarred from applying for fresh blocks. Of the 191 blocks allocated so far, barely over a dozen have reached the envisaged production levels. The remaining blocks — some of which were allotted as early as 1998 — have either not secured environmental clearances or have not submitted acceptable mining plans to the government. “We have intensified monitoring the allocatees of the coal blocks to ensure that we achieve nearly 104 million tonnes of production by 2011-12. In course of our last review meeting, it emerged that nearly 40 such blocks still remain idle despite being allocated as long ago as ten years. The allocatees were told to expedite production, but nothing seems to be working, which only leaves us with the option of de-allocating them,” a senior coal ministry official told The Indian Express. The official said coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has made it clear that those idling on their blocks should either begin production or forfeit their bank guarantees. The ministry is concerned that coal production from captive blocks has fallen by almost 17 per cent in the last fiscal, the official said. The ministry has already issued show cause notices to power and mining utilities run by different states warning them of de-allocation their blocks, the official said. In course of the ministerial review, it emerged that a number of private utilities granted blocks have not submitted their bank guarantees and now risk losing their blocks. For example: two Nagpur-based companies — Murli Industries and Grace Industries — have been asked to furnish bank guarantees worth Rs 10.44 crore expressly, “failing which appropriate action shall be taken for non-compliance of the conditions incorporated in the allotment letter without any further notice”, the official said. The ministry is also concerned about Coal India Limited which has said it direly needs nearly 130 blocks, failing which it will not be able to achieve a production target of 520 million tonnes by 2020.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/govt-to-soon-deallocate-40-coal-blocks-from-idling-companies-forfeit-their-bank-guarantees/519913/0)

Tea with BS: Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi, September 22, 2009:  While trying to revamp the environment ministry, he has ruffled more feathers with his non-stop flow of irreverent one-liners than Shashi Tharoor did with his 'holy cows' tweet. When we meet him, Jairam Ramesh is reading the first of the 100 or so letters he gets every day. A Ms Melanie Syms from Wales has written to ‘Mr Paryavaran Bhawan, Environment and Forest Ministry’, a laboriously handwritten epistle on a piece of notepaper. This, and a sudden increase in the volume of email (they have gone up from 300 every day to around 400), is the result of a BBC documentary on India’s environment, he says. Ramesh replies to every letter and his signature colour (no pun intended) is pink, says Saubhadro Chatterji. One of the most accessible and tech-friendly ministers on Team Manmohan (he’s a B Tech, MS and educated at IIT Bombay, Carnegie Mellon University and MIT), this Kannadiga. Rajya Sabha MP elected from Andhra Pradesh has acquired a reputation of having the ‘foot-in-the-mouth’ disease (he vies with colleague Shashi Tharoor for that honour). While the junior minister of trade (and later power) in UPA-I, on the eve of an important visit by the prime minister to Brazil, Ramesh put the foreign ministry in a spot of bother when he wondered about the utility of a trade pact with a country so far away with India. This time, it is his remarks on Bhopal. He held a handful of soil on the site of the Union Carbide plant and said: “Look, I’m holding this and I’m still alive”. “That backfired,” he concedes sheepishly, “you can’t imagine how many email I received after that, slamming me for the insensitivity of my remarks. I’ve learnt my lesson and will be more careful next time.” He joined as the minister of state (independent charge) in the Environment and Forest Ministry with the mandate of making it accountable and transparent. Ramesh’s first step towards transparency has been removing the wooden doors and replacing them with glass. “This ministry was known as ATM. You pressed the right buttons and you got the clearance for your project. I want to make this an Accountable and Transparent Ministry.” Ramesh doesn’t have a 100-day agenda. “But during the first 100 days, I tried to create systems that will live on even when I am not there: An institutional set up. This is a Herculean job. And in India, everyone thinks he is an environmentalist,” he says while managing calls on his two Nokia phones. If an activity is under-funded, it’s under-managed. If an activity doesn’t get national funding, it won’t enter the national consciousness. If you can’t bring public funding to a critical level, you are not going to get managerial talent. This is what Ramesh decided to tell Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee when he met him before the general budget (Ramesh also loves to mimic Mukherjee and does it to perfection). He told the FM, “Dada, I need some money for Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI).” “How much do you need?” Mukherjee asked “I need at least Rs 15-20 crore for each of these institutes,” Ramesh replied. “Joyraam, this is the problem. Where is the money?” Mukherjee asked. Ramesh, who had worked with Mukherjee as his Officer on Special Duty in the Planning Commission earlier, played his trump card: “Dada, both these institutes have their headquarters in Kolkata”. All that the FM said, beaming, was: “Oh, very good, very good.” “In this budget I got Rs 15 crore each for the ZSI and BSI. I got another Rs 15 crore for Geological Survey of India. Incidentally, its headquarters too, is in Kolkata,” Ramesh grins. The prime minister was instrumental in allocating Rs 8,400 crore for the Environment and Forest Ministry in this year’s budget, up from Rs 3,600 crore in the 2008-09 budget, he adds. His tea — jasmine tea — lay cooling. He is too engrossed explaining the key debate in the environment ministry — growth versus environment protection. Balancing the two is Ramesh’s trickiest task. Both need delicate negotiation and are extremely important milestones for India’s rise as a global power. “As the environment minister, my main job is to ensure that two pieces of central legislation, the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment Protection Act are implemented properly. I know many people don’t like these laws. They see them as impediments and try to bypass them. But I have to strike a balance, transparently. There are some projects where I’ve put my foot down. But last week I had to clear a road project in Arunachal Pradesh, for strategic reasons. I know it will destroy a large forest area in Arunachal Pradesh but I had to settle on some safeguards,” Ramesh says. He meets green activists regularly and even takes tips from them on critical issues: “My doors are always open to people like Sunita Narain, Ashish Kothari and Medha Patkar. I want to engage them. Pink papers like Business Standard will only think about growth. But I need to take others into confidence”. Unlike in the case of other UPA ministers who have a picture of the prime minister and/or Sonia Gandhi, the most prominent picture in Ramesh’s room — apart from Tanjore paintings of south Indian gods and a Buddhist thangka — is one of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru involved in an intense discussion. But for Ramesh, the idol is Indira Gandhi. “Just look at what she did. Had she not been the prime minister, India’s forests would not have survived, yaar!” The key strategist of the Congress party during elections lists Indira Gandhi’s achievements: She saved Silent Valley and protected the rain forests of Kerala, ensured legislation like the Water Pollution Act, the Air Pollution Act and the Forest Conservation Act. “Even Project Tiger was her brainchild. If we have tigers left today, it is because of her,” Ramesh says. In his quest to make the ministry more effective and transparent, Ramesh has found some inherent structural problems. “There is a fundamental dichotomy. We have laws that are made by the Centre but the implementing agencies are the states and the local administration. This makes our job more difficult. Still I’ve managed to take some steps: I’ve de-notified mining in forest areas.” This has had several state governments rushing to Delhi to intercede because important interests are involved but Ramesh is not budging. Jairam was Shashi Tharoor’s debating partner at St Stephens College and, along with Nandan Nilekani, debated on topic as outlandish as “Why there should be a Friday”. Now, as minister, there are things he finds even more absurd: “When I raise matters with my officers, they say half of them are sub-judice; and the other half, the officers want make sub- judice as soon as possible!” Ramesh realises the importance of reliable back-room office staff: He has a team of three young men, fresh from college. They worked with him in the party’s ‘war room’ before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections to implement electoral strategies. And now they handle a part of his load. The minister has set the next target: To revamp the ministry’s website. But this ‘techno-love’ often lands him in trouble as well, as happened when the prime minister was wondering how the details of a volatile cabinet discussion over austerity measures were leaked to the newspapers. “M K Narayanan (National Security Advisor) went and told the PM that I had leaked the news. I asked Narayanan how he reached that conclusion. He said he saw me fiddling with my mobile in the cabinet meeting. I was actually switching off my mobile at that time,” Jairam laughs before turning to another letter.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/teabs-jairam-ramesh/370803/)

Mine scam: Civil groups clamour for CBI probe

Bhubaneswar, September 21, 2009: Orissa mining scam, billed as India's biggest looting of public property, on Monday brought civil society groups and people from different walks of life to demand CBI probe on the ground that only the country's highest investigating agency can bring the real culprits to book.  They said a number of highly placed persons in the government and administration are suspected to be involved without whom a scam of such magnitude and spaced over years would not have been possible.  They described the vigilance probe ordered recently only after the scam came to the public domain as nothing but a facade and said it is silly to expect the state agency to nail people under whom it is functioning.  At a meeting organized to discuss the mining scam here jointly by Orissa Jana Samilani and Kranti Manch, speakers challenged the "integrity" of people in power and wondered how the government closed its eyes to the looting of ores that continued for years. The meeting, first of its kind without involving political parties, in a resolution said a "group of politicians, officials and business men close to them" had been benefited by the senseless looting of the mineral resources. "The scam has cost the state revenue worth thousands of crores. Those in power were voted by the general public with a lot of hope to see the state achieve social and economic development. But they have let down the people. The precious mineral resources of the state is not safe in the hands of the present government," the resolution said. Another resolution passed at the meeting said the destruction of forest due to illegal mining has taken away the source of livelihood for lakhs of people, particularly tribals. "The forest, environment, water sources have been devastated leading to ecological imbalance in the mines areas. Since the government has been found incompetent to protect the natural resources a separate committee comprising people from the government and the civil society should be formed for the purpose," the resolution said. It also demanded separate compensation for the families of people who have been killed by trucks carrying mineral resources. "Media reports indicate in Keonjhar district alone nearly 300 people are getting killed every year by ore-laden trucks. This has rendered the victims' families to live in penury and anxiety. The government must make a list of those killed and award compensation to them," it said. The meeting referred to the environment impact assessment (EIA) reports prepared by mining companies and raised doubts on their authenticity. "When mining has a strong bearing on the environment and lives of local people the government should prepare it instead of asking the private business houses to do it," the meeting said.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bhubaneswar/Mine-scam-Civil-groups-clamour-for-CBI-probe-/articleshow/5039754.cms)

‘Uranium mining will go ahead’

Despite Protests, Meghalaya Says People In Favour Of Extraction

New Delhi, September 21, 2009: As protests gather pitch against uranium mining in Khasi Hills, with a students body taking the lead, Meghalaya government has assured the Centre that people were in favour of the project and the state would be able to clinch pre-mining development projects and come to extraction soon. Chief minister D D Lapang, who has held a series of meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the last being on Sunday, told TOI that civil society was turning in favour of mining exploration. He said, “The PM is clear that mining should be done... we recently took a cabinet decision in its favour and we are going ahead with it.”  Lapang said the health hazards cited against mining were “not an issue” in view of the scientific knowhow available now. “The merits far outweigh the demerits in case of mining,” he said. The CM and his deputy Mukul Sangma in the MUA regime warned that pilferage of uranium and smuggling across the border was more dangerous. “There have been so many instances where people have been caught smuggling. It is serious,” Sangma said. For a project held up for over 20 years since the local population erupted against the UCIL move, the Lapang government marked a departure when the cabinet decided to go ahead with development projects to precede mining. Rs 209 crore have been approved for it. The proposed Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium Project in West Khasi Hills district has been pending since 9,500 tonnes of uranium oxide deposits were found in 1984 in an area close to the border. Seeing the sensitivity of the issue, Lapang and Sangma made it clear that the present cabinet decision was only for development phase and subsequently, the state would have to again take a decision on ultimate mining. But given the mood, the Congress-led state coalition seems to have finally agreed with the Centre for turning around the opinion in the state in favour of mining. The assured demeanour of the ruling duo contrasts with protests in Khasi region, where a students body has vowed to stall the UCIL project.  Lapang said civil society was turning in favour of uranium mining as “it is a national property” and while “Meghalaya is a small state, it understands the national need”. He said there was no fear of the issue snowballing into strife which could turn peaceful Meghalaya into another volatile pocket in the north-east. Lapang said while a platform of 20 NGOs had already given its nod, small groups against the move would be persuaded. The state will hold interactive sessions with locals to inform them about safeguards and benefits. Sangma said there was complete political unanimity on the issue. “While NCP has said that the state should not have taken the decision, the fact is that it was the previous NCP-UDF government which prepared the ground for it. They did not take the decision because the government fell,” he said.

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

Now, mining row involving OMC

Bhubneshwar, September 21, 2009: While the dust over the multi-crore mining scam is yet to settle down, BJP has brought a fresh allegation of illegal mining against the Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC).  Party spokesperson Sameer Mohanty today said that OMC is continuing mining operation in Kaliapani mines areas of Sukinda despite seizure of 80,000 tonnes of chrome ore by the Forest Department officials. Objecting to mining activities of OMC in the forest areas without obtaining forest and environmental clearance, Forest Department officials not only stopped the mining operation, but seized 80,000 tonnes of chrome ore raised by the State PSU. Ignoring the objection, OMC is continuing mining operation in the same areas, Mohanty alleged. If a State-owned corporation is carrying on mining activities in violation of the forest and environment norms, it clearly demonstrates that the Government has no effective control over its administrative machineries. The BJP demanded suspension of the mining officers in charge of Kaliapani mines for their lapses and the matter should be probed by an independent agency. Dismissing the allegation, highly placed official sources said OMC had a proven track record. It is highly unlikely that a government agency like OMC will be indulging in illegal mining activities. There must be some confusion between the OMC and the Forest Department so far as mining areas are concerned. After the incident came to the notice of the Government, instruction has been issued to OMC mandarins to sort out the problems. Managing Director of the corporation Saswat Mishra has reportedly taken up the issue with divisional forest officer of Keonjhar.

(Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com)

Uranium mining keeps Meghalaya on toes

Guwahati, September 21, 2009: The controversial uranium mining issue is keeping Meghalaya at tenterhooks. With the 15-day deadline by the influential Khasi Students Union (KSU), asking the state government to revoke its decision to lease land to Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) came to an end on September 15 with the government remaining unmoved, the student body has decided to undertake protest demonstrations in the coming days. The Meghalaya government had on August 24 had taken the decision to handover 422 hectares of land in uranium rich West Khasi Hills to UCIL on lease for 30 years to undertake the "pre-project developmental works." "This is an unfortunate decision. Both the state government and UCIL are trying to mislead the people," Samuel Jyrwa, president of KSU, told Business Standard. According to Jyrwa, KSU would not let the UCIL to undertake mining until and unless its concerns are fully addressed. KSU is opposed to the uranium mining proposal on the ground that it would degrade environment and precipitate health hazards in and around the mines, Jyrwa said. According to Jyrwa, "pre-project developmental works" were, in reality, "structural activities" by UCIL prior to undertaking uranium mining." On the other hand, Lapang had recently made it clear that the government would not review the decision at any cost. Meghalaya is the third uranium rich state in the country after Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. The state accounts for 16 per cent of India's uranium reserves, with deposits estimated to be around 9,500 tones and 4,000 tones respectively at Domiasiat and Wakhyn, both in West Khasi hills region. UCIL, had to wind up its mining operations in Khasi Hills soon after it started in early 1990s due to fierce and violent tribal protests. It had mad a fresh application for uranium mining with the state government in 2001. The mining project, which was estimated at Rs 300 crore in 1990s, has now escalated to around Rs 825 crore.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/uranium-mining-keeps-meghalayatoes/370717/)

Global companies eye Reliance Power equipment order

New Delhi,  September 21, 2009: Six global equipment manufacturers —P&H and Caterpillar from the US, Komatsu from Japan, Belaz from Belarus, Uralmash from Russia  and Taiyuan Heavy from China — are in the race to secure a contract for supplying large mining equipment to Reliance Power’s Sasan ultra mega power project (UMPP).  The company is expected to finalise the mega order worth over Rs 2,000 crore for mining equipment like draglines, electric shovels, off-highway haul trucks within a fortnight, to kickstart coal mining operations in captive blocks, allotted for the 4,000-mw project, said a source privy to the development. As part of Sasan UMPP, R-Power is developing the largest coal mine in the country at Moher and Moher Amlohri extension. The company will spend over Rs 3,000 crore for developing and operating this opencast coal mine. The mine plan for both the captive coal blocks has already been approved by the coal ministry. The clearance for Chhatrasal captive block, however, is awaited. The blocks are expected to produce about 15-16 million tonne of coal, sufficient to meet the fuel requirements of Sasan. “Several equipment proposed to be used for Sasan’s captive coal blocks would be used for the first time in India. The size of the order is also largest in the recent history of Indian mining industry,” said the source.  It has been learnt that Uralmash from Russia and Taiyuan Heavy from China have emerged front-runners in the race to pocket the Sasan order for draglines and shovels. All the suppliers interested in the order have also agreed for organising export financing from respective countries. R-Power is also looking at placing orders for mining equipment for its Tilaiya UMPP that also has been given captive coal mines in Jharkhand. It is expected that companies that get the Sasan order would also be front-runners for bagging orders for Tilaiya UMPP, said the source. When contacted, a company official refused to comment on the development. R-Power has put its first UMPP project at Sasan in Madhya Pradesh on fast-track. The project has already achieved financial closure and issues related to transfer of land has been resolved. The project has also received environmental clearance, and its mining plan for captive coal has been approved by the coal ministry.

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

Students protest against uranium mining in Meghalaya

Shillong, September 18, 2009: Protesting against the proposed uranium mining in the state, activists of Khasi Students Union (KSU) in Meghalaya today burnt effigies of Chief Minister D D Lapang and Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL). The students opposing the project fear that uranium mining would affect the environment and open floodgates of infiltration in the state. Rejecting an appeal by the government to withdraw agitation, KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said: "The development work proposed to be carried out by UCIL in the 422 acre of land in the uranium-rich areas of West Khasi Hills will only help it to mine uranium. Developmental works should not be channelised through UCIL." Earlier today, Jyrwa met Deputy Chief minister B M Lanong, seeking details about the lease agreement inked between the state government and UCIL.

(Source: http://www.ptinews.com/news/289127_Students-protest-against-uranium-mining-in-Meghalaya)

Orissa, Jharkhand projects on course despite delays, says ArcelorMittal

London September 17, 2009: Luxembourg-based Arcelor- Mittal, the world’s largest steel maker, has said it is pursuing its new project investments in India, despite minor delays.  Apart from its recent strategic investments in Uttam Galva Steel, ArcelorMittal has two new projects coming up to manufacture steel, one each in Orissa and Jharkhand. The company had recently said there would be a two-year delay in commencing production in India, expected to be done with a total investment of $20-25 billion. The original start date for production, that was expected to be in 2012, was recently pushed to 2014. In the presentations made ahead of the annual investors’ conference held simultaneously in London and New York, the company’s senior management said there has been some delay in securing mining rights in Orissa. And, applications for environment clearances and infrastructure allocation in Jharkhand were being processed.  The company hopes to commence production in Jharkhand by 2014, according to the presentation to investors made by Sudhir Maheshwari, Member of the Group Management Board. “ArcelorMittal is still pursuing its Indian greenfield investments, despite slow processes extending project timelines,” Maheshwari said in his presentation. The company said iron ore mines have been allotted in Karampada (65 million tonnes) and a coal block allotted in Seregarha in Jharkhand. While private land acquisition is to begin later this year, the state government has allocated 415 acres for the project. Resettlement plans for the local community have been prepared and will be made public soon, the company said. The Orissa project is also showing progress, says the company. While a coal block has been allotted, there has been some delay in securing mining rights. Government land has been allotted and the process for acquiring private land is underway. A resettlement plan for this project has been given to the government. Despite the delays in these projects, the company said its recent investment in Mumbai-based Uttam Galva Steel has provided it an “immediate entry into the steel manufacturing sector in India.” Earlier this month, ArcelorMittal had announced picking up a 35 per cent stake in Uttam Galva, with a value of $560 million. Uttam Galva produces cold rolled steel, galvanised products, colour coated coils and sheets with an annual capacity of one million tonnes. “It (Uttam Galva) is a good bolt on to the existing greenfield projects in Jharkhand and Orissa, providing an in-house consumer of HRC (hot rolled coil) from these projects,” the company said. This acquisition is also expected to provide an outlet for selling flat products from other ArcelorMittal plants in the interim. The group, through ArcelorMittal International, is expected to sell 1.6 million tonnes of steel in India this year though the import route. The company plans to make India a design and engineering hub through the ArcelorMittal Design & Engineering Centre in Kolkata. ArcelorMittal believes US and European steel markets will not return to pre-crisis levels next year and developing countries should drive growth.”Markets are not expected to normalise in Europe and the US in 2010,” Chief Executive Lakshmi Mittal said in his presentation to investors today. Mittal said the emerging world and China were equally important and would represent nearly 80 per cent of the global market in 2009.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/orissa-jharkhand-projectscourse-despite-delays-says-arcelormittal/370354/)

GBOA, GMOEA hope to export 50 million tonnes of iron ore
Vasco, September 16, 2009: Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) and Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) hope to export 50 million tonnes of iron ore during 2009-10, as the mining season kicked-off on Wednesday. Overcoming several odds, GBOA and GMOEA managed to surpass last year’s figure of iron ore exports and gained a marginal improvement in exports of iron ore. During 2008-09, the State exported 45.8 million tonnes of iron ore, which was marginally higher as compared to 38 million tonnes exported in 2007-08. GBOA and GMOEA are expecting to cross 50 million tonnes during the current year, as the season commenced with the rituals and by offering coconuts in Mandovi River. GBOA President Atul Jadav along with the officer bearers, GMOE Secretary Glenn Kalavampara and Deputy Captain of Port James Braganza performed the annual ritual to commence the season. “We are cautious this year, but are optimistic that iron ore export will cross 50 million tonnes for 2009-10,” said Kalavampara. “There are ominous trends prevailing in the export market. The Chinese market has witnessed a correction and the prices of iron ore have fallen drastically and the threatened port strike in September end are blowing on the horizon,” said Kalavampara. “However, both the bodies are hoping that these negative developments will reverse and exports will see a record figure of 50 million tonnes,” added Kalavampara. He said that biggest economy like India Australia and Brazil exports 70% of iron ore, while India exports 10%, of which 4% is exported from Goa. “To compete with countries like Australia and Brazil, the government has to seriously think on improving the infrastructure for the barge industry and exporters,” he added. “Improvement in the waterway is the permanent solution for the growth of export,” said Kalavampara. When asked despite recession and decline in demand from China, how export figure was surplus as compared to the previous year, he said that export was marginal despite all odd, as supply was improved in the later part of the year. GBOA President Atul Jadav acknowledged the support of the State government and thanked Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Minister for Port Mickky Pacheco for resolving their problems. He also thanked Secretary of Port Capt A P Mascarenhas and Deputy Capt James Braganza for their able stewardship of the captains of ports office.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27461&cid=26)

Mining lobby blows hot as season begins

Panjim, September 16, 2009: The mining lobby in Goa appears to be headed for a collision course with the Government over moves to levy surcharge on mining rejects, even as the season kicked off today on an optimistic outlook. The State Government had proposed to levy a green cess of Rs 30 per tonne on mining rejects as a major step towards moping up State’s revenue by Rs 375 crore. The mining lobby which had expressed shock over the announcement made by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in his Budget speech nearly two months ago, is gearing up to oppose the move tooth and nail. After studying the situation, the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) has found that the Government cannot levy a charge on the mining rejects. Why? Because, technically the rejects may not be rejects at all. “Today’s rejects may be ore tomorrow”, was how GMOEA executive director S Sridhar reacted to the State Government proposal. Goa Barge Owners Association and GMOEA hope to export 50 million this season. Since the last 4-5 years, Goa’s iron ore which is low grade had suddenly seen a high demand mainly from China. Infrastructure development in China for the Olympics proved to be manna from heaven for those in the mining business. What was more, even iron ore rejects which had been piled up for years, got a price and the dumps – which was a common feature in the mining belt – disappeared.  That’s exactly when Sridhar says. What is reject today could be ore tomorrow. So, the question before Government authorities would how best to overcome the ‘technical point’. Well, the Goa Government seems to be aware that the mining lobby would come up with some legal argument to ground the Green Cess proposal. “Hence, we are not in a hurry. We have referred the matter to the legal (law) department for drafting a thorough draft notification not to give a chance to the mining companies to move the court”, said a senior Government officer. The officer also denied that the Government is going slow on the proposal. “Not at all. Otherwise, why would we move the proposal in the Budget?”, he shot back.  But will the State Government not lose precious revenue if the notification is delayed?  No, according to the officer. He said in the proposal there is no monthly collection.  The revenue is to be collected on the dump of rejects – so what matters is the size. The proposed rate is Rs 30 per ton. Nonetheless, it is to be seen when the Government would come out with the notification and whether there will be seriousness in collecting the revenue (even though the figure of Rs 375 crore seem to be on the higher side). The mine owners have another argument against the collection of levy on rejects. There has been a steep hike in the royalty on ore. It has gone up from around Rs 11.50 per ton to between Rs 100 – Rs 150 per tonne. Though the central Government collects it, the money will go into the State Government kitty, Sridhar   said. According to mine owners, when this hike was agreed upon, there was an understanding from the side of the central government that no additional taxes would be levied on them. “But within a few months, the Goa Government came out with the new Green Tax”, said an official from the industry. The mining industry, obviously has been strongly backed by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). GCCI President Cesar Menezes has said that the Rs 30 per tonne of mining reject cess was very steep and would be detrimental to the mining industry. In his budget speech, the chief minister had said that the levy would be collected under the Land Replenishment cum-Green Environment charge from the mining industry “to make good the loss suffered by the State and its people over the years”.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27474&cid=10)

To diversify into gold mining

Bangalore, September 16, 2009: MSPL is planning to diversify into gold mining later this year. The company has acquired gold mines at Mahalingapura village, about 20 from Gadag in north Karnataka. These mines, which were found originally by the Britishers in the early 20th century were later passed on to state-owned Bharat Gold Mines Limited and later to Hutti Gold Mines Ltd. The company has planned an investment of Rs 550 crore for the proposed foray into gold mining. However, both the companies abandoned these mines for lack of sufficient quantity of gold and uneconomical prices for the yellow metal in the domestic market. Subsequently, MSPL has come forward to extract gold from these mines given the current high prices for gold in the local market. “Meda Venkataiah, executive director-mining, MSPL Limited said, “We have already received reconnaissance permit from the state government to extract gold from these mines. We plan to extract around 2 tonnes of gold per annum here. At the current market prices for gold hovering over Rs 15,000 per 10 gram, it is economical to extract gold here. The breakeven point at this production rate for open cast mine is Rs 8,000 per 10 gram and Rs 14,000 when we dig into the underground mining.”

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/to-diversify-into-gold-mining/370172/)

Posco to set up Foundation for project-affected

Bhubaneswar, September 16, 2009: The South Korean steel major Posco on Tuesday announced that the company will establish Posco Foundation to work for the people in the area affected by its steel plant project.  This was stated by Joon Yang Chung, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Posco, after a meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here which stretched for more than an hour.  Chung told mediapersons that the Foundation will cater to the health needs of the locals besides giving them vocational training. The foundation will also feed poor children in the area of operation of the company, he said, adding that it would be a win-win situation for both the locals and Posco officials. Tuesday’s meeting was the second the Posco officials had with the Chief Minister within a month to push through the project, which has been delayed because of opposition to land acquisition by the locals. Besides, the company’s bid to get iron ore mines is mired in court cases. The announcement of setting up the foundation is perceived as an attempt to woo the locals who have threatened to relaunch the agitation if the company tried to establish the project at the original site near Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district. Posco had announced that the ground-levelling work for the project will be started by November-end. The construction work is expected to start early next year. Chung said they held discussions on how to continue with the project and expedite the process. He said that expert consultants would be engaged by the company for the steel plant project. However, Chung avoided replying to any question on the land acquisition for the project, estimated at Rs 51,000 crore. The State Government was making efforts for land acquisition for the project and Posco would support it, he said. A statement from Union Minister for Mines B K Handique that Posco wants to shift the project site sparked off a controversy. Both Posco and the State Government had refuted the statement and announced that there is no such proposal.

(Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com/)

No move to change Govt stand: Lapang

Shillong, September 16, 2009: Chief Minister DD Lapang has reiterated that the government would not revoke Cabinet's decision on leasing of land to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL). ''The government has decided not to revoke the Cabinet's decision on the leasing of 422 hectares of land to the UCIL for 30 years in the uranium-rich areas of West Khasi Hills district for pre-developmental projects,'' Mr Lapang told a news agency here on Tuesday. Mr Lapang said the government had also written to the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), which was spearheading the anti-uranium movement, on its stand to go ahead with the leasing of land to UCIL. The State Cabinet, at a meeting held on September 1 had discussed about the KSU's 15-day deadline to abrogate the decision on leasing of land, but decided to stand by its August 24 decision. It had also decided that there would be no review to it. The UCIL would invest Rs 1,000 crore to undertake pre-project development activities on the leased land. Under these pre-developmental projects, the government-owned mining company would build schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructures. Initially, the UCIL would invest Rs 209 crore for these projects. However, the anti-uranium groups have decided to launch a 'people's movement' in the State to protest the decision. "If the government fails to reverse the Cabinet's decision, we will launch a people's movement to force the government to reverse its decision," KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said. The KSU also termed the lease agreement as a 'ploy of the State Government to facilitate uranium mining in the areas'. The leasing out of land to the UCIL has also been opposed by the Opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which urged the Congress-led government not to go ahead with any decision that may have a bearing on the lives of the people. The UCIL had proposed a Rs 1,046 crore open-cast uranium mining and processing plant at Mawthabah in West Khasi Hills district which has an estimated deposit of 9.22 million tonnes of uranium ore. The UCIL, however, has failed to garner support for the project with several NGOs and anti-mining, civil and human rights groups opposing the proposed mining. (UNI)

(Source:http://www.theshillongtimes.com/shillong.html)

WKHCAD demands coverage of West Khasi Hills by UCIL for dev

Shillong, September 15, 2009: The West Khasi Hills Confederation of Association for Development (WKHCAD)  today met Chief Minister DD Lapang demanding absolute coverage to the West Khasi Hills district in terms of development with the UCIL-earmarked money of Rs 209 crore. WKHDAC led by West Khasi Hills Students’ Union (WKHSU) president Moslandar Marngar submitted a six-point charter of demands to Lapang wherein they said that implementation of the Rs 209 crore should not be marginal but cover the entire district. “The pre-project development programme to be carried out by UCIL in the uranium site should not only be confined to Wahkaji only,” Marngar told reporters. Welcoming the Rs 209-crore package for development, Marngar said since the district requires development at the earliest and once the government has allowed UCIL to take charge of development, it should be its responsibility to think of the district in general. The two-week-old WKHCAD, an ad hoc committee formed on August among 19 pro-uranium activists in West Khasi Hills, also demanded that UCIL should bear the expenses of six students from the district for further study in mining and geology annually besides setting up of a medical college for the underprivileged and an engineering college which would lay special emphasis on mining engineering. Setting an ultimatum of four months, the confederation demanded to equip the Nongstoin CHC with cardiology, gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopedics and other specialists. Marngar said, “The government should fulfil these demands before Christmas.” The other demands of the confederation included upgradation of the Sib Sing HS School to a government college encompassing Science, Commerce and Arts streams besides construction of the National Highway (Borsora-Wahkaji-Nongstoin-Saigaon road). Stating that the confederation has not decided whether to support uranium mining in the State, Marngar said the confederation, for the time being, is concentrating only on the pre-project development programme to be carried out by UCIL. He said, “This is only the first phase of the project, therefore, the question of supporting or not supporting mining does not arise at the moment.”

(Source:http://www.sentinelassam.com/northeast.php?sec=2&subsec=9&id=22222&dtP=2009-09-16&ppr=1#22222)

Deadline ends, KSU to protest

Shillong, September 15, 2009: Meghalaya was today staring at an agitation by the Khasi Students Union after the latter’s 15-day deadline to scrap the cabinet decision to allow the Uranium Corporation of India Limited to carry out pre-development projects at the mining sites evoked no response.  As the deadline ended at 5pm today, the KSU decided to announce its agitation programme after a meeting tomorrow.  “As the government had not responded positively, the central executive committee of the KSU will meet tomorrow to discuss our future course of action,” KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said today.  He claimed that the rally organised by the KSU last evening at one of the mining sites in West Khasi Hills was well attended with several landowners rejecting the project. “The landowners of Domiasiat and Nongtnger are against mining,” he said.  According to him, the landowners who are supporting uranium mining had been “paid” by UCIL.  On the rally at Iew Umdohlun, West Khasi Hills yesterday, Jyrwa said that the people who attended the meeting agreed with the views of the KSU that mining would only cause harm. Besides the KSU, Langrin Youth Welfare Association and political party HSPDP also opposed the activity in West Khasi Hills. According to Jyrwa, the UCIL-sponsored projects were not meant for the development of backward areas. He said that the Rs 209-crore pre-development project would only benefit the staff and family members of UCIL. HSPDP president H.S. Lyngdoh criticised the 12 cabinet ministers for taking an “anti-people stand” on mining.  He said uranium mining would lead to health and environmental hazards, besides largescale influx of illegal immigrants. Chief minister D.D. Lapang last night said that the government would not change its stand on the issue of uranium mining. The government had sent a letter to the KSU that the cabinet would not go back on the August 24 decision to allow the UCIL to carry out the spadework at the mining sites, he added.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090916/jsp/northeast/story_11499036.jsp)

Essel scouts for land in Singhbhum

Ranchi, September 15, 2009: Essel Mining and Industries Limited, a unit of Aditya Birla Group, has identified 500 acres in West Singhbhum district for setting up a 1.02million tonne per year capacity integrated steel plant.  But officials of the company are reluctant to divulge the exact location, fearing protests from anti-displacement outfits. “We are in the final process of purchasing about 500 acres in the district,” senior manager of the company Sohan Lal Tulsyan said. He added that the plant would also have a 60MW capacity captive power unit.  Earlier, the group had identified a plot in former chief minister Madhu Koda’s home turf, Jagannathpur in West Singhbhum, for setting up the plant. But it had to relocate the proposed unit after local residents opposed.  “The total cost of the project is pegged at Rs 2,000 crore. We want to get things moving at ground level soon,” Tulsyan said. The company is eyeing Vijay I mines in West Singhbhum to meet its iron ore requirement. Recently, the state struck off a deal with one T.P. Sao, who was earlier allotted the mines (a couple of decades ago) but never carried out mining operations there.  State mines department sources confirmed that the state was contemplating to grant iron ore mining lease to Essel. As far as allocation of coal block is concerned, the company is waiting for release of coal blocks by Coal India Limited so that it could apply for ones.  At present, Essel Mining and Industries Limited has units in Jilling and Vapi. Jilling is situated in West Singhbhum bordering Keonjhar district of Orissa while Vapi is in Gujarat. Aditya Birla Group’s flagship company, Hindalco Industries Limited, has already set foot in the state. The Lohardaga mines division of Hindalco Industries Limited owns quite a few bauxite plateaus in Lohardaga, Gumla and Latehar region. Bauxite from these mines is sent to the company’s alumina plants in Muri and Renukoot (Uttar Pradesh). However, operations have not been smooth for some time in the wake of intensified activities by CPI(Maoist) and other rebel factions.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090915/jsp/jharkhand/story_11495447.jsp)

NALCO chief lists expansion plans

Koraput, September 15, 2009: People and the villages in the periphery of NALCO at Damanjodi in Koraput district could enjoy the benefits of real development to a greater extent if the village leaders, district administration and NALCO authorities who are the three key players responsible for the growth to happen could bring better collaboration among themselves, said Chitta Ranjan Pradhan, the Chief Managing Director (CMD) of NALCO at Damanjodi on Monday. The proposed plan to construct a 25-bedded hospital for the people in the region by the company with the support of the district administration could go a long way in realising the dreams into reality, he added. Addressing the media he said the mechanisation of the company was upgraded to the best in the industry anywhere in the world, but the input cost remained high with 21 per cent of the total cost going towards human resource management. There was a need to bring greater results with minimum inputs especially at a time when the entire industry especially the aluminium industry was facing hard days after the recent recession in the global economy, options of downsizing the human resource was not possible in the country, he said. However the company was planning to undertake massive expansion plans both in and outside the country by bringing maximum utilization of its human resource. Listing out the plans of the company, he said that adding to the mining in rich reserve of bauxite in Pottangi region of Koraput district, deals were in its final stage to acquire mining zones at Gudem & K.R.Konda mining sites at Chintapalli near Visakhapatnam including some other places near Godavari region in the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh. Moreover the company also was making arrangement with the government in Iran to set up a smelter plant in that country. Speaking out the plans for a sustainable power supply for the company, he said that in addition to the power plant that is coming up at Jharsuguda in the State by the company, a coal-based power plant was coming up in the very near future at Indonesia. Talks to establish a nuclear power plant by the company were in progress with the support of Nuclear Power Corporation and places in Ganjam district have been placed for selection before the corporation in this regard. P.K.Mahapatra , ED (M&R) and R.P.Swain, GM(H&A) were also present .

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/15/stories/2009091555100200.htm)

Protest against mining

Shillong, September 14, 2009: Opposition to the proposed uranium mining in West Khasi Hills has gained its momentum during the public rally taken out by the anti-uranium lobby spearheaded by the KSU, LYWA and HSPDP today. The rally held at Umdohlun, around 160 km from Shillong, witnessed speakers of NGOs speaking against the State Government’s decision to allow Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to go ahead with the ‘pre developmental’ projects in the uranium belt of West Khasi Hills. Speaking at the rally held at Iew Umdohlun, Nongstoin MLA and HSPDP president HS Lyngdoh said, “If all the MLAs are supportive to the government’s decision, I will stand alone to protest uranium mining in the State.” He even castigated the 12 ministers of the Cabinet for allegedly “mortgaging the State” to UCIL. KSU president Samuel Jyrwa told the gathering that the approach of UCIL was not for the development of the backward areas. “The Rs 209-crore development project is to facilitate infrastructure that will benefit UCIL staff”. All the leaders who spoke on the occasion maintained they are not against the development but against the proposed UCIL project that will bring misery to the people. They laid stress on influx, health hazards and environmental degradation. They also warned the government that if it does not retreat from its decision within the 15-day deadline set by the KSU, a vigorous agitation would be taken up. The anti-uranium lobby also received support from retired Air Force official PO Pugh who took a dig at the reported use of military to extract uranium deposit in the State.

(Source:http://www.sentinelassam.com)

Sand palmed off from Thanneermukkom

Alappuzha, September 14, 2009 : Large quantities of sand, mined from the Vembanadu lake during the dredging of the Kollam-Kottappuram Inland Waterway-III at Thanneermukkom, is alleged to have been illegally transported to various places inside and outside the State. The contractor who undertook the dredging work for Rs 20 lakh, has already transported around 1,500 loads of sand, worth around 1 crore, from Thanneermukkom though he has the permit for only 800 loads. The sand mined during the dredging is deposited on the compound of the water way terminal at Thanneermukkom and is being transported in large quantities. According to Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI) officer Mathew George the only options before the IWAI were either to deposit the sand in the backwaters or to deposit the sand inside the terminal compound. When the first contractor started to deposit the sand in the backwaters, local fishermen at Thanneermukkom had prevented him from do so. After the incident, the IWAI had authorised the contractor who was doing the dredging work to sell the mined sand at his own risk. Rajkumar, a geologist at the Mining and Geology Department who issued the permit to the contractor, said that he had issued permit to transport around 800 loads of sand from the IWAI terminal at Thanneermukkomt on the behest of the District Collector. “The permit was issued on August 31 for 10 days, after collecting around Rs 62,500 as royalty and around Rs 15,000 as tax. Now the validity of the permit has expires,” he said. However, certain government officials allege that Revenue Department staff led by the Cherthala tahsildar, who had verified the quantity of the sand, had recorded the quantity of sand as very low for helping the contractor to transport huge quantities of sand from the terminal by paying less royalty and tax. Subsequently, the revenue inspector once again measured the sand and it was found that the report of the tahsildar was wrong. The government officials also alleged that though permit was issued only for 800 loads, the contractor had already sold over 2,000 loads of sand. It is also alleged that the local trade unions of the CPM, the Congress and the BJP as well as leaders of the political parties had been extending their full support to the contractor who paid enough money to them in the form of ‘nokku kooli’. Chandrababu, a villager, said the contractor was making huge profits through the sale of the sand. If the authorities concerned failed to take immediate steps to prevent the sand mining, Thanneermukkom bund will soon collapse,” he said.

(Source:http://www.expressbuzz.com)

Transportation of Coal hits roadblock

Angul,  September 14, 2009: : Coal transportation in Talcher coalfield area, which supplies coal to seven states, has been hampered due to lack of infrastructure facilities. Millions of tonnes of coal stocked at various colliery pit heads could not be evacuated due to poor and dilapidated roads, according to sources. The internal roads are in very bad shape for plying of 4000 transport vehicles. There is no improvement in the transporting road link from railway sidings to Hingula mine despite coal production in the mine increasing from 5000 tonne to 40,000 tonne per day. Even the condition of the single road has worsened over the years. Poor roads also pose a hindrance in engaging hundreds of local private truckers in transportation works. According to sources, coal production has doubled since 2001-02 and profit made has almost tripled but hardly any attention is given to augment infrastructure to match with production growth. The poor state of affairs can be attributed to the lack of attention by previous MCL authorities. MCL sources said the company authorities are making efforts to improve the infrastructure to augment transportation from mines head to railway sidings. The company besides executing a project at the cost of Rs 17 crore at HIngula and other mines here has initiated steps to spend Rs 194 crore for infrastructure development in Talcher and in valley field. Experts from IIT Kharagpur have been asked to submit a detailed project report on how to make road networks sustainable.

(Source:http://www.expressbuzz.com/)

Minefield of false claims

Bhubaneswar,  September 12, 2009: Information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act shows three years back the Union environment and forest ministry had brought illegal mining to the notice of the state government, but the latter for mysterious reasons kept mum. There were also reports recommending closure of the mines engaged in excess production flouting rules and mining in non-lease areas. That too did not move those holding the reins of power.  It beggars belief how things could have got this bad, but the state had no option but to stand helplessly watching its precious mineral resources being drained off. The MoEF in a letter on December 18, 2006 had informed the state government about illegal extraction of ore in six large mines owned by the Rungta group beyond the permissible limit. The MoEF letter in fact was a later development. Three years before the state pollution control board (SPCB) itself was aware of the illegal mining. Official files indicated a designated committee of the board in which the member secretary was a member had taken note how excess production was going on at Silijora Kalimati iron and manganese mine for two years from 2003 to 2005 and ordered its closure from the following year.  On March 1, 2007 a senior environment engineer of the SPCB had recommended that closure order be issued in view of the decision taken by the designated committee. Nothing happened and the mine was allowed to operate. Similar was the case with San Indupur mines where consent to operate for 2005-06 was refused for higher production. There was however no closure order issued.  Preliminary estimate put the value of excess ore extracted at around Rs.2,873 crores @ Rs.6,000 and Rs 2,500 per ton of manganese and iron ore respectively. In one case (Tehrai ) it was noticed mining continued illegally without permission of any kind. Environment clearance process for the mines started from 2007-08 onwards, but they were actually in operation much before that. In case of Tehrai the consent to operate was first granted on November 29, 2007 for an annual quantity of 38,957 tons. The order was valid for just four months up to December 31, 2008. On January 18, 2007 SPCB officials visited the mine for inspection, but turned blind to the operation going on there for the last three years.  Environmental clearance granted to any mine is always accompanied by the quantity of ore to be mined annually. This is done keeping in view the likely impact of mining on the local environment. Mining creates a huge quantity of overburden, sometimes three to five times of the actual ore deposit. The mining plan takes this into account and leaves overburden dump areas next to the mine where it can be stacked. In the clearance condition, the user agency is warned that violation of any condition can lead to cancellation of the environmental clearance. But in this case, the mine has extracted almost 800 to 1000 percent more ore than was permitted, affecting the local environment severely.  While the SPCB was silent on the pollution problem in Keonjhar district, the state government despite the MoEF letter did nothing. "The state of pollution in Keonjhar district and the large-scale deaths of hapless people in the region daily under the wheels of the thousands of trucks carrying the ores speak volumes for the ground situation", the RTI applicant and environment activist Biswajit Mohanty said. "I had also brought the matter to the notice of the pollution control board only to be told that an inquiry had been ordered", he pointed out.

(Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bhubaneswar/Minefield-of-false-claims/articleshow/5004142.cms)

Highway hits CCL roadblock

- PSU can’t fund Kujju bypass, state moves Centre

Ranchi, September 10, 2009: NH-33’s woes seem never-ending. Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) has refused to bear the entire cost of constructing a new diversion to bypass the underground fire zone in Kujju along the Ranchi-Patna National Highway, prompting the state to refer the matter to the Union ministry of surface transport and highways. CCL’s move follows a whopping increase in cost of laying the new diversion — Rs 9 crore for the 1.25-km diversion that’s about 700 metre away from the road and passing through Banwar village in Kujju block. Senior CCL officials weren’t willing to comment as the CMD, R. K. Saha, was away in Australia on an official visit, but sources in the state road construction department confirmed the development. The road construction secretary, N.N. Sinha, told The Telegraph the department was sending the new, Rs 9-crore proposal to the Union ministry for approval. There’s no other option since the state administration has withdrawn the invite for tenders for the 700-metre diversion that was proposed earlier but had to be abandoned since the route was found to be unsafe.  In any case, the last date for receiving bids was September 8 and till now, not a single offer was received. “We will start the tender process again after getting an approval from the Union ministry of surface transport,” Sinha added, confirming apprehensions that the project which holds the key to keeping alive the crucial road link between the two state capitals was probably staring at inordinate delays. The executive engineer of the Ranchi division of the NH wing of the state road construction department, Rajesh Kumar Gupta, said the project had now been divided into two parts.  “One part will cost Rs 4.35 crore, while the other Rs 4.55 crore. We will now involve two contractors simultaneously to ensure early completion,” he claimed.  Despite CCL’s silence, the engineer-in-chief of the state road construction department, Vijay Kumar, conceded it was only after CCL refused to bear the entire cost of the project that the proposal was being sent to the Centre. The underground fire in Kujju, reported to have escalated from June, was the result of years of illegal mining that was going on in the abandoned coal mines of CCL. Fissures on the Ranchi-Patna highway began spewing a mix of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide as early as on June 29, but the state administration and CCL authorities woke up to the seriousness of the issue only by July 19.  First, the delay in gauging the damage and then the inept handling of the situation led to a portion of NH-33 to cave in Lohagate during the first week of August.  Since then, all vehicles were being forced to take a detour from Kujju on NH-33, considered the lifeline of Jharkhand, to travel to Patna, Calcutta, Varanasi, Kanpur and Delhi. And now, bus operators have announced a fare hike to compensate for the extra distance they have to traverse to take a diversion through Vishnugarh.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090911/jsp/jharkhand/story_11479745.jsp)

Unscientific coal mining in Garo Hills

Shilong, September 11, 2009: With a recent spurt of illegal and unscientific coal mining activities in Garo Hills in Meghalaya is jeopardizing ecological balance and in this regard the Indigenous People for Tourism and Conservation (IPTAC) has taken upon its shoulders the responsibility to spread awareness to the masses of Garo Hills about unscientific coal mining and its detrimental effect on the immediate environment. The members of IPTAC leaders as part of their campaign against illegal unscientific coal mining in Garo Hills conducted an awareness programme in Balupara, Babadam around 17 kilometres from Tura today. Recent spurts of illegal unscientific coal mining in Garo Hills especially in West and South Garo Hills has made eco conservation groups of Garo Hills biting their nails off. Just as the Gongrot issue in South Garo Hills was for the time being, being worked out by concerned NGOs another illegal coal mining activity reared its ugly head in West Garo Hills. “Illegal coal mining activities have been reported from Balupara, Babadam and on inspection of the site in question we found out that the villagers there were mining coal out of the area,” said Sengkal T Sangma. He informed that experts on coal mining have, after examining coal samples from the site asserted that the coal found at the site was not even “mature” and according to government guidelines, was not ready to be mined. The IPTAC in its awareness programme in Balupara showed the villagers a documentary of the Jharia incident in Jharkhand where unscientific mining of coal lead to devastation as the coal reserves there ignited underground and consumed Jharia, a small town with a population of 4000 people. The documentary show highlighted the plight of the people after their town was gradually consumed by an uncontrollable underground fire brought on by unscientific coal mining initiated by insatiable mafia-type gangs.

(Source:http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=sep1109/ne4)

Squads to curb illegal mining

Kolar: September 11, 2009: The district administration has made special arrangements to put an end to illegal sand mining and stone quarrying in the district, and vigilance squads comprising officers from the revenue, police, forest, and mines and geology departments have been formed.  These special teams, which have been set up at the village, taluk and district levels, will conduct joint operations. Meeting of all the officials belonging to the four (police, forest, and mines and geology) departments in the district was held at Informatics Kendra in the City on Wednesday. Speaking to the media persons after the meeting, Deputy Commissioner N Prabhakar said, “We have taken this step as we have received many complaints about illegal sand mining and stone quarrying in the district. Strict directions have been given to vigilance squads to put an end to illegal mining ,” he said. “The Vigilance Squads, which comprise members of four different departments, should operate together. They should visit spots where illegal mining is taking place and put a stop to it, Prabhakar said. “The officials have been informed to take action against only those who are mining sand for profit,” he added.

Designated places

The Deputy Commissioner said that sand mining can be carried out only at designated spots.  “ Permit will be given for mining sand, at the rate of Rs 250 per load. We have received complaints that contractors who obtain permit once, also mine sand from different places. Criminal cases will be filed against such candidates,” he warned. “Nearly 277 permit have been issued for stone quarrying. There are 300 applications seeking permit. The applications have been forwarded to Pollution Control Board and Geology Department for reviewing. Permit will be granted after deliberations are held on the recommendations forwarded by these departments,” he added.

Pressure

The Prabhakar expressing his constraints said that when a culprit is caught for illegal mining or quarrying they seek political help. Immediately MLAs and other politician stop us from taking further action. Such incidents have off late increased, he added. However, decision has been taken not to budge to any political pressure during crack down on illegal activities, he added. Zilla Panchayat CEO G V Rangarao, SP K P Puttuswamy, Assistant Commissioner Peddapaiah, tahsildars of all the taluk and officers from various department took part in the meeting.

Mining areas

The district administration has identified places where illegal quarrying and sand mining is being carried in the district. The taluk-wise list of the places are as follows. Kolar taluk- Kurki, Horakere, Bettahosapura,Dhanamatnahalli, Talagunda, Bhuvanahalli, Kurugal,Perjernahalli, Kaluvamanjari, Chakasanahlli, S Agrahara, Kodikannuru, Toranahalli, Dinnuru and K B Hosahalli; Malur taluk- Haleyepalya, Hunsikunte, Kaderenahalli, Kempasandra, Janganahalli, Toranahalli and Dinnehalli; Mulbagal taluk- Avani, Devarayasamudra, Kadr-ipura,Obaladevara Betta, Agrahara, Nangali, Devarayasamudra, N Kurubarahalli, Duggasandra, Nagawara and Doddiganahalli; Bangarpet taluk-Betamangala, Kanamanahalli, Tongalakoppa and Mallasandra; Srinivaspur taluk- Kodihalli and Kodombari.

(Source:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/24324/squads-curb-illegal-mining.html)

‘Mining eating into Goa’s cashew yield’

Panaji, September 10, 2009: Mining in Goa’s hinterland is eating into the State’s cashew production, according to growers of the nut.  “Some of the best plantations in north and south Goa are being destroyed by mining activities,” said the Goa Cashew Manufacturers Association President, Mr Madhav Sahakari, here on Wednesday. “Mining operators are encroaching upon land used for cashew plantations. The companies dump ore rejects on our plantations,” Mr Sahakari said at a press conference. Goa, which is virtually synonymous with two popular cashew products — feni, a distilled alcohol made from juice extracted from the cashew fruit, and roasted cashew nuts — produces nearly 22,000 tonnes of nuts annually. Cashew nut plantations, which dot the State’s countryside, are adjacent to more than 100 mining tracts, where nearly 33 million tonnes of iron, manganese and bauxite ore are extracted annually.

Area under cashew

According to Mr Sahakari, nearly 20,000 hectares are under cashew cultivation. Ironically, while mining is hitting cashew nut production, Mr Sahakari admitted old dumps of mining rejects or exhausted pits were ideal for starting plantations.

Mining dumps 

“Cashew can grow on any surface, even in cracks on rock surfaces. There have been successful experiments where some old mining dumps have been converted into cashew plantations,” he said.  “The mining industry should follow this path, rather than going about destroying plantations.”

(Source:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/09/10/stories/2009091052161700.htm)

Market-linked prices for coal favoured

New Delhi, September 10, 2009: Even as India on Wednesday said that it was scouting for acquiring coal blocks in partnership with Australian companies to meet the increasing domestic demand for the product, the Coal Ministry said it favoured market-linked prices for coal. Addressing a press conference here, Coal Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal said that he recently toured Australia along with the official of Coal India to explore the possibility of acquiring coal assets to meet the energy needs of the country which is likely to face a shortage of 200 million tonnes a year by 2012.  “Coal mining in Australia is completely in the private sector and we need to explore the possibility of CIL entering into some kind of a joint venture or partnership to explore the mining potential there and acquire asserts,” he added. Mr. Jaiswal had recently toured the New South Wales Hunter Valley and Emerlad in Queensland.

No Chinese competition

Discounting the possibility of Chinese competition in this new move, Mr. Jaiswal said India and Australia enjoyed good and cordial relations and this should help in forging new relationship in this sector. About the domestic sector, Mr. Jaiswal said although no decision had been taken to hike coal prices, the Ministry was in favour of market-linked prices. “In principle, we agree with all the recommendations of the Planning Commission, including market-linked prices for coal,” he said.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/10/stories/2009091056361600.htm)

Granite quarrying near heritage monuments to be curbed

Madurai, September 10, 2009: The Tamil Nadu government will curb granite quarrying near hills with heritage monuments, said Mines Minister K. Ponmudy here on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters, he said that following reports that quarrying was going on at Idayapatti near Tiruvadavur where Sangam age Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions were facing destruction, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had ordered an enquiry. The inscriptions belonged to 2nd century B.C. and talked about how Aridhan of Pangadu village and Upasan had sculpted the beds on the cave floor. Iravatham Mahadevan, a renowned scholar on Tamil-Brahmi and Indus scripts, had deciphered the two inscriptions in 1996. A task force comprising the Tamil Nadu Director Geology and Mines, Deputy Director Geology and Mines and Deputy Superintendent Archaeology Department was formed. It visited the spot and submitted their report. Subsequently, mining activities were stopped following a government order. However, the contractors who had bid the licence to quarry had obtained an interim stay from the High Court. Steps were being taken to vacate the interim stay. The Act (under the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department) would be amended so that quarrying activities would be banned up to a distance of 300 metres near ancient monuments. Accompanied by Collector N. Mathivanan, and Deputy Director of Geology and Mines J. Rajaram among others, Dr. Ponmudy inspected the spot at Tiruvadavur and held discussions with the officials from Department of Mines and Geology. He visited the site and also the boundaries where the mining was in progress. Quarrying had progressed so deep that the site looked like an open cast mine, villagers said.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/10/stories/2009091059560300.htm)

CIL set to remove imported coal clause for consumers

Bhubaneswar, September 09, 2009: Decks have now been cleared for coal consumers to enter fuel supply agreements with Coal India Limited (CIL) as the coal major has decided to do away with the imported coal clause. CIL would shortly send letters to its subsidiaries, informing them of its decision to sign FSAs with consumers without the imported coal clause, said an industry source. It may be noted that the imported coal clause was a bone of contention between CIL and coal consumers. According to the clause, it was mandatory for coal consumers to purchase a mix of imported and domestic coal at prices fixed by CIL. The coal consumers objected to the clause stating that buying imported coal was unviable. The contentious issue was one of the causes for the delay in signing of the FSA between the coal PSU and consumers. The coal consumers, who were issued Letters of Assurance (LOAs) by the CIL and had furnished the requisite bank guarantee for signing the FSA, are staring at the possibility of forfeiting the amount. The validity of LOAs of most coal consumers was set to terminate within a month and the FSA needed to be signed before this period. As per the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), the LOA issued to coal consumers was valid for one year and its validity could be extended by four months. As a pre-condition to signing the FSA, coal consumers who have been issued LOAs were required to deposit 6 per cent of the notified base price of the annual contracted quantity of coal under FSA as bank guarantee.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cil-set-to-remove-imported-coal-clause-for-consumers/369527/)

14 Iron ore mines close, 78 others face closure in Goa

Mumbai, September 09, 2009: Decks have now been cleared for coal consumers to enter fuel supply agreements with Coal India Limited (CIL) as the coal major has decided to do away with the imported coal clause. CIL would shortly send letters to its subsidiaries, informing them of its decision to sign FSAs with consumers without the imported coal clause, said an industry source. It may be noted that the imported coal clause was a bone of contention between CIL and coal consumers. According to the clause, it was mandatory for coal consumers to purchase a mix of imported and domestic coal at prices fixed by CIL. The coal consumers objected to the clause stating that buying imported coal was unviable. The contentious issue was one of the causes for the delay in signing of the FSA between the coal PSU and consumers. The coal consumers, who were issued Letters of Assurance (LOAs) by the CIL and had furnished the requisite bank guarantee for signing the FSA, are staring at the possibility of forfeiting the amount. The validity of LOAs of most coal consumers was set to terminate within a month and the FSA needed to be signed before this period. As per the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), the LOA issued to coal consumers was valid for one year and its validity could be extended by four months. As a pre-condition to signing the FSA, coal consumers who have been issued LOAs were required to deposit 6 per cent of the notified base price of the annual contracted quantity of coal under FSA as bank guarantee.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/14-iron-ore-mines-close-78-others-face-closure-in-goa/369524/)

GSPCB assessing replies from mines

Panjim, September 08, 2009: The Goa State Pollution Control Board is assessing replies received from some of the 74 mines that were asked to furnish requisite forest and wildlife clearances required to operate their businesses.  GSPCB Chairman Simon de Souza said the officials are assessing the replies and in a day or two we will know which mines have not got the required clearances to operate. We will take action against such mines, he stated.  Officials said it was difficult to tell the exact number of replies received because they were busy scrutinizing them.    Dr Simon said some of the mines required clearance under the Forest Conservation Act, while some only from the chief wildlife warden and in some cases from both these authorities. We are classifying all the mines accordingly to see if these permissions have been sought, he informed. The GSPCB Chairman further said there were certain cases where some mines have applied for forest clearances. We are ascertaining this act from the Forest Department, he stated. These 74 mines that had been asked to furnish the clearances were apart from the 13 mines that were asked to suspend operations.  CHALLENGE: Out of these 13 mines, five appealed in the Administrative Tribunal. Out of the five, Sesa Goa mine at Codlim managed to obtain a stay on the closure directive. The other four mines – three belonging to V S Dempo and Hiru Bambo Gawas – are awaiting a hearing into their pleas on Thursday.  Mining had come under the scanner of the Opposition during the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly where Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar charged around 18 per cent of mining in the State was illegal.  

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27065&cid=26)

CIL readies Rs 5,000-cr war chest

New Delhi September 08, 2009:  In its quest for securing coal reserves, state-run behemoth Coal India Limited (CIL) has built a Rs 5,000-crore war chest to acquire overseas coal mines and meet the growing demand from steel and power companies.  CIL chairman and managing director Partha S Bhattacharya, who had accompanied coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal to Australia, is enthused on prospects there. “We have set up a corpus of about Rs 5,000-5,500 crore for acquiring overseas coal properties. On our tour to Australia, we did explore certain possibilities and want to take it forward after due evaluation,” Bhattacharya told The Indian Express. Reports say that the 26-member CIL delegation deliberated extensively on picking up stake in the Hancock and Rio Tinto mines. The PSU plans to pick up stakes in any of these mines during the current financial year. Any of these mines will ensure an annual offtake of at least 50 million tonnes of coal. Bhattacharya, however, did not spell out whether his company had zeroed in on a particular mine.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cil-readies-rs-5-000cr-war-chest/514183/0)

Steel minister pushes mining in home state Himachal

New Delhi September 08, 2009: The fortunes of Arki limestone mines in Himachal Pradesh are set to take a turn after 19 long years in limbo — thanks to steel minister Virbhadra Singh who belongs to the state. Ever since becoming the steel minister, Singh has been in favour of developing these mines, say sources in the ministry. One of the biggest mining projects in the state, Arki is expected to provide employment to 2,000 people. Once the mining begins, the Himachal Pradesh government will get an annual royalty of Rs 11 crore. National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), which got the mines 19 years ago but failed to start mining, will sign an MoU with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to develop the mines. “We are planning to sign an MoU with SAIL to jointly develop the 200 million tonne high-grade limestone deposits. As of now, we envisage an investment of about Rs 200 crore,” NMDC chairman & managing director Rana Som told The Indian Express. Steel secretary Pramod Kumar Rastogi confirmed that the move was underway.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/steel-minister-pushes-mining-in-home-state-h/514204/)

India, Indonesia to bid for coal assets abroad

New Delhi, September 08, 2009: India and Indonesia have agreed in principle to form a joint working group (JWG) for exploration and acquisition of coal assets abroad, Union Coal Minister Sripakash Jaiswal said here after his meeting with visiting Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, who is leading a delegation to India. The meeting discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the coal sector and the way forward to strengthen the same.Mr. Jaiswal said there was a great demand for coal in the country as the power sector was largely dependent on the mineral. He said India imported about 20 million tones of coal a year from Indonesia and his Ministry was looking at allocation of mining business licence or coal contract of work for new coal mining areas on a nomination basis, participation in government initiated tender process for grant of IUP (Mining Business Licence)/CCOW (Coal Contract of Work. He said there was also a view for creation of a joint venture with government entry for acquisition, exploration and development of coal blocks in that country. The Indonesian Minister said that he looked forward to the setting up of a joint working group for coal which would meet either in New Delhi or in Jakarta soon to determine the further course of action. Indonesia is a coal rich country with about 60 billion tonnes of coal resources and produced 140 million tonnes of coal in 2007 and is a main exporter of coal with 118 million tonnes of coal exports in 2007. India has been considering acquisition of properties in Indonesia for meeting the increasing demand of coal. Indonesia has been chosen as a preferred destination in view of availability of low ash high calorific thermal coals; comparatively lower acquisition cost; coal resources amenable to open cast mining with shallow occurrence; lower freight cost for transportation to India; better coal evacuation facilities from mines to reach ports for export and availability of vendors for undertaking mining operations.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/08/stories/2009090860321400.htm)

L&T mines offer for 250mt coalfield in Queensland

New Delhi, September 07, 2009: Larsen and Toubro (L&T), the country’s largest engineering and construction company, is in talks to buy a thermal coal mine in Australia for about $300 million, at least two people familiar with the development said.  L&T has shown interest in the mine at Queensland in northeastern Australia, said Amar Bhasin, vice-president of Hindustan Global Resources (HGR), an Australian exploration, mining and consulting company that is facilitating the negotiations.  The mine has estimated coal reserves of 250 million tonnes that can generate enough electricity to meet the country’s needs for about seven months. “The mine we have offered to L&T on behalf of the Australian firm lies close to the Brisbane port, which makes it more attractive,” said Mr Bhasin who refused to reveal the identity of the Australian company. Australia is known for its high-quality coal assets. The deal will cost the Indian company $250-300 million, said another person with direct knowledge of the company’s plan.  “The acquisition will help in case the company plans to bid for any ultra mega power project (UMPP) going forward,” said the person requesting anonymity.  L&T is also is in talks with some mining firms in Indonesia for possible acquisitions, the person added. The L&T spokesman declined to comment on the development. L&T, one of the biggest suppliers of power generation equipment in the country, plans to make a major entry into the power generation space. It had roped in Ravi Uppal, former head of global markets division of the ABB Group, as managing director of L&T Power in last December.  HGR, which is owned by a group of non-resident Indians, has also proposed to assist L&T in the project. “We have given a proposal to L&T under which we are ready to undertake coal exploration and mining work for the firm, post-acquisition,” Mr Bhasin said. He, however, said the Australian firm is yet to get a mining license for the coal block from the government.

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

GSPCB order on mines challenged

Panjim,  September 07, 2009: Sesa Goa and the Vedanta Group has challenged the Goa State Pollution Control Board's order of suspension of closure of mines operation. The GSPCB last month had asked 13 mining leases to suspend operation as they lacked requisite environment clearances. The GSPCB chairman speaking to reporters said that the companies have challenged the suspension before the adninistrative tribunal. While the tribunal has granted a status quo in the Sesa Goa appeal, the Vedanta matter is fixed for hearing on September 10, D,Souza said. Meanwhile, the deadline for the 74 mines, to reply to the show cause notice issued by the forest department ended today. 'Many of the many mining operators have sent their replies to the show cause notices,' GPSCB chairman Simon D’Souza said.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=27021&cid=26)

Illegal quarrying will attract stringent action

Krishnagiri, September 06, 2009:: Stringent action would be initiated against anyone found involved in illegal quarrying in the district, District Collector V.K. Shanmugam warned. In a press release Mr. Shanmugam asked people to inform about illegal quarrying of granites and sand. Out of 56 quarries, 34 were auctioned for Rs. 5 crore. Officials are identifying the potential areas on government land for mining. These quarries would come up for auction during October. It has been brought to the notice of the district administration that people are mining sand from the patta as well as the government land without permission. Officials have been asked prevent such activities in the district. Small brick manufacturers can get permission from the district on payment of Rs. 5,000 as fees and in case of brick chambers the fee would be Rs. 27,000 (it depends up on the chimneys) for one year. Violations of quarrying rules would attract a fine of Rs. 25,000. Hence, people should comply with the rules and regulations for mining, failing which, criminal and civil actions would be initiated, including attachments of properties, the release warned.

(Source:http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/08/stories/2009090852300300.htm)

Quepem locals warn against diverting forest land for mining

Quepem, September 06, 2009: Residents of Colomba-Quepem on Saturday confronted the officials of forest department, when they along with the officials of a mining company went to inspect the forestland at Colomba. According to sources, after being informed that officials from forest department headed by Conservator of Forest, Delhi Cadet, Yogesh, South Goa Deputy Conservator of Forest M K Shambu, Range Forest Officer Raghunath Mashelker, Deputy Conservator of Forest Mining Mr Carvalho and other forest survey officials along with the officials of a mining company went to inspect the forest land to reportedly divert it for mining purpose, a large number of residents headed by Rama Velip gathered at the site. Sources further informed that the residents stopped the officials from inspecting the site and did not allow them to proceed further. However, the officials were later allowed to inspect after assuring the residents that they did not come to divert the forestland for mining purpose. The villagers brought to the notice of the officials the assurance given by Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, during this visit to the State, that no forestland will be diverted for mining purpose. It was learnt that the officials of forest department are reportedly planning to divert 60 hectares of rich government forestland in Colomba in favour of a mine owner, who claims to be having mining lease in the survey holding. Speaking to Herald, the residents said that that over 50 houses and huge tracts of agricultural and Kulagars land comes within the mining lease. “If the forest was diverted and mining is allowed, then our entire village will be wiped out,” complained the residents. The residents also brought to the notice of the officials, including the official from Delhi cadet, that forest department does not maintain the forest trees in the forestland. “If the forest department gives permission to the mining company to cut down trees, then we go to any extent to stop the mining company from felling the trees,” warned the residents. Rama Velip, an activist, accusing the State government said: “The main aim of the State government in delaying the implementation of Forest Right Act 2006 was to deprive the tribals and other forest dwellers of the forest right so as to get it a free hand to divert forest land to mining companies for kickbacks.” The residents cautioned that so far their agitation against mining was peaceful, but with the way things are moving of diverting forestland for mining purpose, they will be aggressive in their agitation.

(Source:http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=26968&cid=26)

Meghalaya faces ‘nuclear reaction’ over uranium mining

Guwahati, September 04, 2009 : Three decades after the discovery of high-grade uranium ore deposits in Meghalaya, the state government has paved the way for India's quest to be an atomic energy powerhouse. But radiation-scared locals and civil rights groups are in no mood to allow the "agents of death" - Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to be precise - to carry out their pre-development activities. The proposed Kylleng-Pyndengsohiong Uranium Project at Mawthabah in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district has been hanging fire ever since the Atomic Minerals Divison found 9,500 tons of uranium oxide deposits in 9.22 million tons of ore in 1984. The site is close to the border with Bangladesh. According to UCIL - it abandoned exploration in 1992 following strong opposition from locals - areas within a 20 km radius of Mawthabah account for 16 per cent of India's uranium reserves at present levels. Besides belonging to a superior grade, the Meghalaya ore has a recovery percentage of 0.1 compared to 0.02-0.06 at Jadugoda in Jharkhand. UCIL couldn't just let go of the best uranium source among four promising sites - the others are Singhbhum in Bihar, Bhima Basin area of Karnataka and Yellapur-Peddagattu area of Andhra Pradesh - to meet India's target of producing 20,000 MW of electricity from nuclear power by 2020. It returned in June 2007 with an Rs. 814 crore opencast mining proposal subject to environmental safeguards. This entailed a mandatory public hearing involving the stakeholders in 78 villages spread across 351 hectares. Since the government has no control on community-owned land in Meghalaya, UCIL talked some 500 inhabitants of six villages in the core project area to sell their land to the government at Rs 18 per sq metre. Prodded by pressure groups such as the Khasi Students Union (KSU), the other villagers stood their ground despite UCIL promising a development package. A series of political upheavals in Meghalaya put paid to UCIL's bid to get started until last month. On August 24, the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government approved UCIL's development package of Rs 209 crore to be spent from the revised project cost of Rs 1000 crore. "The Cabinet reviewed the proposal on Wednesday, and we don't see any reason why UCIL cannot go ahead with its development activities," said chief minister DD Lapang. Alleging a sellout, KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said civil rights group would never allow UCIL mine a radioactive mineral at the cost of the safety of tribal people. "Ours is a fairly literate (64 per cent) state, and many in the uranium belt are aware of what has befallen the tribal people in and around Jadugoda," he added. The KSU has given the government time until September 15 to revoke the August 24 decision to "let UCIL in through the backdoor".

(Source:http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/32489.html)

Don’t restrict gypsum mining: KCCI

Srinagar, September 04, 2009: Impressing upon the government to take steps to save the burgeoning industry based on gypsum, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged it not to stop the mining of gypsum in the Uri sector.  According to Dr Mubeen Shah, president of the KCCI, the Geology and Mining Department had leased out 12 operational mines. “There are still huge deposits of gypsum that can be leased out.” He said in every gypsum mine about 100 to 150 labourers were working and 150 trucks were involved in transporting the mineral. “All plaster of Paris manufacturing units in the Kashmir region are fed by these mines and gypsum is an important ingredient for the manufacturing of cement,” he said.  “It is important that the state government takes effective steps to ensure that these mines are not stopped from extracting gypsum. If extraction is stopped, all plaster of Paris manufacturing units will face problems and even our cement industry, the largest industry in Kashmir, will become sick,” said Mubeen.  He said the state government had given 156 sq km to the Wildlife Department in the Uri sector in exchange of one sq km on the Mughal Road for the development of a national park for the preservation of wild animal, Markhor. The KCCI apprehended that the development of the national park would lead to the closure of these mines.

(Source:http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090905/j&k.htm#12)

US willing to share technical know-how on uranium mining

Shillong, September 03, 2009:  The United States is keen to share technical expertise with India on uranium mining, US Consul General Beth A Payne said here today. "We can certainly explore options and opportunities available. Maybe we can partner with the government and share our experience and expertise on how to mine uranium safely," Payne, who is on three day visit to Meghalaya, said. Referring to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, Payne said, "We see India as a responsible non-proliferator. We would like to help India develop its civilian nuclear capacity because it is a viable form of clean energy." The Consul General said that "the US can help if India makes the choice to further its nuclear capacity." The US was also keen to facilitate India in terms of scientific partnerships, she added. The uranium mining project in the state was yet to start due to opposition from organisations apprehending health and environmental hazards.

(Source:http://www.samaylive.com/news/us-willing-to-share-technical-knowhow-on-uranium-mining/654036.html)

Shaken by a sudden halt in demand from China, Indian iron ore miners are planning production cuts.

Mumbai, September 03, 2009: According to the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), the high prevailing prices due to price-based royalty and skyrocketing railway freight rates are making export of iron ore to China uncompetitive. “There has been no enquiry from China for the last 15 days and most importantly, nobody can predict how long this will continue,” said RK Sharma, secretary general, FIMI. Indian iron ore miners are watching the situation closely as both China, the world’s largest consumer of the ore, and Australia, the largest miner, are under tremendous pressure to end their deadlock over cut in prices of long-term contracts. Since iron ore exports contribute significantly to the Australian economy, Australian miners are keen to resume supply to China. The country’s overall exports fell 19 per cent to A$47.6 billion in the second quarter as shipments of coal slumped 26 per cent and iron ore 21 per cent. On the other hand, China has its own ambitious plans for steel production in 2009. According to data compiled by the China Iron and Steel Association, the country’s crude steel production was at an all-time high of 1.67 million tonnes in the first fortnight of August, which would take the annual production to 610 million tonnes, a rise of 20 per cent from the 500 million tonnes in 2008. Chinese steel mills, which consume more than half the globally-traded iron ore, have stopped procuring ore from the spot market, including India, resulting in about 25 per cent decline in global prices in the last fortnight. The spot price of 63.5 grade iron ore has fallen from $115 to $85 a tonne.

(Source:http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/miners-mulling-cut-in-iron-ore-output/368862/)

POSCO is confident in the India steelmill, to build in 2010

September 02, 2009: MetalBize--S. Korea POSCO is still confident in the steelmill in Jagatsinghpur with 12mln tons of yearly production in India, and POSCO anticipates that it can obtain the license on mining, environment and forest, and it is possible that it will start to be built. According to related people, POSCO will continue to launch the first-phase plate billet project with 3mln tons of yearly production in Jagatsinghpur, and most of plate billet will be exported to S. Korea and neighbor countries. After the first-phase project is put into operation, the company will extend into the downstream according to the market situation. With further extension, POSCO will produce HRC products, not only supply for India domestic market but also for export. In addition, even if the previous ship-board plan seemed to be quit, Jagatsinghpur steelmill still produces medium heavy plates. Because mineral exploit license, environment forest license as well as land purchase and other problems brought about some trouble, the project of Jagatsinghpur steelmill gets along so slowly. It is said that POSCO planed to change the place of this project to another place from Paradip, Jagatsinghpur, but so far, POSCO has not confirmed it yet.

(Source:http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/metalworking/100165709-1-posco-confident-india-steelmill%252C-build.html)

Meghalaya CM defends UCIL lease

Shillong, September, 02, 2009: In the backdrop of threats of agitation by anti-uranium mining groups, Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang on Tuesday, while defending the Cabinet’s approval to lease out land for 30 years to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), said the landowners have agreed for the same. With the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) serving a 15-day ultimatum to the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government, Lapang said landowners in the uranium-rich belt of West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya have even signed an agreement with the UCIL to lease out their land. “The land will be leased out for 30 years for Rs 1,000 crore ‘pre-project’ developmental works,” said Lapang, adding that he informed that the UCIL would initially invest Rs 209 crore. He said the pre-project developmental works would include providing better educational institutions, hospitals and roads and other infrastructure to the people of the area.

(Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/meghalaya-cm-defends-ucil-lease/510563/)

Decision to lease land to UCIL as per land owners wish: Lapang

Shillong^, September 01, 2009:  Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang has asserted that the state government's decision to lease land to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) was in line with the aspirations of land owners and locals. "All the land owners have told the government that it can go ahead with the pre-project development works (in the uranium-rich areas of West Khasi Hills). They have made an agreement in black and white," Lapang told reporters last night, amid a stand-off between pro and anti-uranium mining groups over the government's move. The Meghalaya cabinet had last week decided to lease 422 sq hectares of land having uranium deposits in West Khasi Hills for 30 years to UCIL for pre-project developmental works. The UCIL had agreed to earmark Rs 209 crore to carry out pre-project development programmes, including healthcare facilities, power, drinking water, educational institutions and roads. The mining issue in Meghalaya has been hanging fire for over two decades now with some prominent NGOs and political parties, including the influential Khasi Students' Union (KSU), vehemently opposed to the proposal on the grounds that it would lead to degradation of the environment besides opening the floodgates for outsiders into the tribal state

(Source:http://www.samaylive.com/news/decision-to-lease-land-to-ucil-as-per-land-owners-wish-lapang/653083.html)

Teachers rally for IIT status

Dhanbad, September 01, 2009: Teachers of Indian School of Mines University (ISMU), Dhanbad, went on a mass leave today to mount pressure on the state and the Centre to grant IIT status to the institute.  They also participated in a peaceful rally and wore black badges even as a delegation led by the president of ISMU Teachers’ Association took up the matter with Union minister of state for human resource development D. Purandeswari in New Delhi. Purandeswari reportedly promised to look into the demand. A separate delegation of students met Giridih MP Ravindra Pandey, who assured them that he would raise the issue in Parliament. He also issued a letter of support. Another team led by the secretary of ISMU Teachers’ Association, S. Chattopadhyay, met Hazaribagh MP and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha in Hazaribagh. Hundreds of students, who had been campaigning for the IIT tag for a month now, joined the rally.  Earlier in the day, the teachers, wearing black badges and holding placards, assembled in front of the administrative building on the campus from where they marched towards the hostels. Talking to The Telegraph, Chattopadhyay, who led the rally, said that they would also meet Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. “There is no logic behind depriving ISMU of IIT status. Many of our former students had played a crucial role in establishment of many PSUs, including Coal India Limited. The placement record of ISMU is as better as that of the IITs,” Chattopadhyay said, demanding that the central government should take immediate action.

(Source:http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090902/jsp/jharkhand/story_11436982.jsp)