Tata Steel to operate four mines

The State Government has allowed the Tata Steel to operate its four iron ore mines in the State till January 28 as per an interim order of the Odisha High Court. According to Director of Mines Deepak Kumar Mohanty, the Government would take a final decision on the matter basing on the court’s judgement on January 28.

Earlier, the Government had ordered the Tata Steel to stop operations at the four mines, Bamebari, Katamati, Joda East and Joda West, after the company had failed to meet the November 15 deadline for forest and environment clearances. The company moved the high court and argued that its mines should not be shut as they were captive ones and suspension of work would lead to unemployment of a large number of workers, mostly tribals.

The Tata Steel’s six iron ore mines were among the 26 mines which were asked to suspend operations in view of a Supreme Court order on May 16 this year. The apex court had called for suspending operations of the 26 iron ore and manganese mines in Odisha that were operating under the provisions of deemed extension. The Supreme Court had held that such mines could not continue operations until the State Government passed express orders under relevant laws. The Government issued express order allowing mining operations till January 28.