BS reported that Joda mining circle, under the state steel and mines department, has sent show cause notices to 57 mines for the irregularities and mining rule violations caused by them between 2001 and 2010.

Mr UC Jena deputy director of mines of Joda circle said that “We found that some mine owners carried out mineral excavation without environment and forest and other statutory clearances. Some of them, who had all the necessary clearances with them, raised excess minerals than approved by the government bodies. So we have sent show cause notices to 57 mine owners.”

Mr Jena said that “We have cancelled the trading licenses of 50 firms out of notices sent to 224 firms, who were transporting minerals outside of the state for trading purpose.”

Joda circle had a total of 96 mines. Besides, these 57 errant mines, 12 mines have stopped operating 10 years ago while 27 mines are currently operating in this iron and manganese rich area. However, none of these mines are operational currently as some have shut down the mines on their own and some were forced to stop mining by the government.


Though the state government suspended as many as over 300 mines during 2009-10 after allegations of rampant illegal mining, transportation and exports, the proceedings against these mining rule offenders have begun only recently.

In a separate development, the Joda DDM has cancelled mineral trading licenses of 50 firms as they did not provide information sought by the mining officer.

Meanwhile, the government is considering a proposal to restrict or completely ban iron ore transport by road for export purpose citing deteriorating road conditions and to support rail transport for minerals.

(Sourced from BS)