The Centre is likely to issue show-cause notices to some big companies which together hold 75 leases where illegal mining of iron and manganese ores was found by the Shah Commission.
The move assumes significance as the State Government has already initiated such move against firms that carried out mining operations without environmental and other clearances.
Terming that 22.56 lakh tonnes of iron and 3 lakh tonne of manganese ore productions by companies holding 75 leases as “illegal”, the Commission has recommended for recovery of ore value from them.
The companies, including Steel Authority of India ltd (SAIl), Tata Steel, Aditya Birla group’s Essel Mining and Industries, Jindal Strips of Jindal Steel and Power ltd (JSPl) and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), have been accused of indulging in “illegal/without any lawful authority” production of ores.
“It is proposed to issue directions to these 75 mining leases for restricting the production of ore to the level specified in the Environment Clearance letters and issue show cause notices for violations,” Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has said in an official document.
“It is also proposed to write to Odisha Government to take credible action against these mine projects under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, as per the facts of the case,” the document said.
The State Government in its action taken report has said that it has taken steps “for initiating legal action against defaulting mines which have undertaken mining operations with valid EC”.