Odisha Govt issues Orders for Lease Extension of 26 Mines

The ruling BJD Government in Odisha has issued orders for the lease extension of 26 mines under the new Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015. The mine lease holders have been asked to execute supplementary lease deeds with the government within three months.

“The government has issued orders to the 26 mines for lease extension following the recommendations made by an inter-departmental panel and approval of the chief minister. The miners have been asked to execute their lease deeds within three months for operation of their mines,” said Odisha steel and mines secretary R.K. Sharma.

The 26 mines included 22 iron and manganese ore. If the operations of these mines are renewed, it will generate 32 million tonnes of iron ore output. However, the miners will have to furnish forest clearance and mining plan before the execution of the lease deeds.

The Orissa High Court had directed the Government to extend the operations of the leases of all these mines before April 27. These mines were closed following the Supreme Court orders in May 2014. The mines that would benefit from this decision, include Tata Steel, KJS Ahluwalia, Mid East Integrated Steel Ltd, Kaypee Enterprises, Kalinga Mining Corporation and KN Ram Ltd.