A recent modification in the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) vis-à-vis obtaining of forest clearance for a mining lease is expected to save all operating iron ore and chromite mines belonging to OMC and private companies from closure. The modification allows all operating mines to obtain clearance for entire forest area before January 31, 2016, extending the earlier deadline by a year.
Earlier, Chief Secretary GC Pati had requested the Centre to extend the deadline by at least six months in favour of four major mines of the State-run OMC. The OMC mines include two main chromite leases, South Kaliapani and Sukurangi and two key iron ore mines, Daitari and Gandhamardana (B). All these four mines, and already shutdown Kurmitar iron ore mine of the OMC could not obtain the forest clearance as per MoEF guidelines within the stipulated time, and hence, anticipating closure of the mines and loss of revenue, the State Government had requested for relaxation in the norms.