FE reported that in a major offensive against illegal mining activities in Orissa, the state government has suspended the mining operations in 128 mines, mostly iron ore and manganese mines, in the state.

Mr Ashok Mahadoe Roa Dalwai Orissa’s steel and mines secretary told FE on Tuesday. “Orders have been issued for suspension of mining activities in 128 mines on the ground that the mines did not have proper documentations.”

He said show cause notices have been issued to the owners of these mines as to why action will not be taken against them for operating mines without statutory documents.

The 128 cases include 44 mining leases and 84 renewal mining leases. While 50 are iron ore and manganese mines located in Joda-Barbil area of Keonjhar and Koida area of Sundergarh district, the rest are mines of lime stone, dolomite and quartz.

The state government launched a massive drive in early October 2009 to verify the documentations of the mines being operated in the state. It was found during the verification that many of the mines are being operated as deemed renewal, some are being operated without forest clearances and other statutory clearances.

(Sourced from FE)