Odisha Iron Ore Illegal Mining Case Hearing : Updates

Honorable Supreme Court of India has issued judgement on illegal iron ore mining case in the state of Odisha on 02 Aug'17. In a common cause notice issued to Odisha based merchant miners, they were alleged of excess production beyond the granted EC (Environmental Clearance) limits. In its orderthe Supreme Court (SC) called for recovery of 100% compensation in lieu of the excess ore lifted.

Another specific issue involved in the case hearing is impact of Rule 37 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.

The eight mining lease holders that violated Rule 37 of the MCR are - RP Sao, Indrani Patnaik, KJS Ahluwalia, Aryan Mining & Trading Corporation, Mideast Integrated Steel, Kavita Agrawal Manganese ore mines, Mala Roy and M/s Sarda mines.

Leases accused regarding total area acquired during operations were - Jindal Steel and Power Limited, Sarda Mines Private Limited, Rungta Group of Companies and Essel Mining and Industries Limited.

The case for the same was heard today in Supreme Court. According to market sources report to SteelMint, the case was heard today at the Apex Court and a committee shall be formed who shall look into both sections of Rule 37 and Rule 6(1)(B).

Further hearings shall follow and are to take place in next three months.

It is expected that CEC may issue revised demand/show cause notices to the miners as SC is of the view that miners may either submit penalty on the ore that has remained unsold on the excess mining done over the permitted EC limit or sell the excessive ore left unsold to the state government, following this government may put up the material for auction. This may result in reduction in penalty amount to be paid by the miners.