Stepping back from its stance on imposing a total ban on mining in Karnataka State on account of environmental concerns, the Supreme Court (SC) has cleared the long awaited verdict on the Category A and B iron ore mining in Bellary district of Karnataka. However, the ban continues to remain in the Category C mining in Bellary and post this ruling about 49 mining leases in Category C stand cancelled.
The SC, back in September 2012, allowed 18 mines in Karnataka to resume operations on the basis of the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). This time around also accepting the committee’s recommendations, Category B mines were allowed to restart mining subject to necessary statutory clearances. Thus, after this decision, iron ore production in nine Karnataka mines will resume operations.
In July last year, the court had banned all mining operations holding that right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution would include a pollution-free environment. It had also ordered a CBI probe into alleged illegal mining activities of former Karnataka Minister G Janardhana Reddy in Obulapuram, Andhra Pradesh and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
However, country’s iron ore exports to China shrank to just over 30 million tonnes last year as a clampdown on illegal mining, and exports from Karnataka slashed output and shipments, prompting steelmakers to operate below capacity.
