For regular monitoring of mining operations in the leasehold areas, the State Government would use the Google Earth images as it is a time-tested method, said official sources. Already hit by a series of illegal mining scams, the Government this time does not want to take any risk before allowing opening of more mines for operation. So, the Department of Steel & Mines (DoSM) has mooted creation of a cell in the ORSAC for regular monitoring of the Google Earth images of all its leasehold areas.
The Google Earth, a virtual global programme, is in use for monitoring of mining activities in various parts of the country. This is used to know whether the mining activities are carried out within the stipulated boundary or not. The Tamil Nadu Government has developed software for monitoring the operations in its leasehold areas which has proved beneficial for that State.
The Odisha Government has decided to get in touch with its Tamil Nadu counterpart to have the modus operandi in handling the Google Earth Solutions for mining operation monitoring, said a senior DoSM official. The Director of Mines would meet senior officials of Tamil Nadu’s Department of Geology & Mining soon, he said.
Once details are obtained, the Google Earth system would be adopted with the Integrated Mines and Minerals Management System (i3MS), which is implemented in the mineral sector. Following the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) exercise, which was undertaken in various mines by the ORSAC, a detailed report had been furnished to the DoSM, which is being now under study, said the sources.
The DGPS exercise was taken up for 39 iron ore and manganese mines in pursuance to the recommendations of the Shah Commission, which investigated the multi-crore mining scam in the State. Now, a DGPS exercise would be undertaken in 148 iron ire and manganese mines and also in the mines of the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), said the sources. Also, there would be monitoring of all vehicles registered with i3MS to be provided th Real Time GPS Tracking system for continuous monitoring.