Lok Sabha Question No. 3032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-04
Subject: Prohibited Mining Areas
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3032 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  AUGUST, 2016

## 'PROHIBITED MINING AREAS'

## 3032.  SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  areas  in  which  mining  has  been  prohibited  by  the  various orders of the Apex Court of the country;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government in this regard in compliance with the Apex Court's orders;
- (c) whether in certain areas orders of Apex Court have not been complied; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d) No state has reported any violation in terms of non-compliance of the Apex Court's  orders  related  to  prohibition  of  mining  activities  in  the  specific  areas.  As  per  the information  received  from  the  Indian  Bureau  of  Mines  (a  subordinate  office  under  the Ministry of Mines), the details of areas (state-wise) in which mining has been prohibited by various orders of Apex court and the steps taken in this regard, in compliance with the Apex Court's orders are provided below:

## ANDHRA PRADESH

As  per  the  directions  of  the  Hon'ble    Supreme  Court  of  India,  State  Government  has suspended  mining  operations  in  the  six  iron  ore  Mining  leases  in  Obulapuram  area  in Anantpur district due to inter-state boundary dispute vide G.O 723 dated 25.11.2009.

## ODISHA

In Writ petition (Civil) No. 114 of 2014 dated 16.05.2014, the Supreme Court ordered closure of 102 mines (Annexure-II mines of Shah Commission report) in the state of Odisha. After obtaining all statutory clearances the mines are required to obtain permission from the Apex Court for opening of the mines. The State Government has ensured compliance with the court order.

## RAJASTHAN

Mining operations in the area of Aravalli hills of Rajasthan has been prohibited by Hon'ble Supreme  Court  of  India.    Subsequently  the  State  Govt.  of  Rajasthan  has  banned  mining activities in Aravalli Hills range and restrained operation in 52 mines (03-Major Mineral,05Marble,03-Granite,41- Minor Mineral).

## GOA

In  pursuance  of  W.P.(civil)  435/2012  filed  by  Goa  Foundation  in  the  Apex  Court,  mining activities  was  banned  in  the  State  of  Goa  w.e.f.  5.10.2012  by  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court. However, the  suspension  of  mining  activities  have  been  lifted  by  the  Apex  Court  vide  its interim order dated 21st April 2014 with Annual capping of 20MT of excavation along with other  conditions.  The  Mining  operations  have  resumed  in  Goa  in  compliance  of  Supreme Court order.

## HIMACHAL PRADESH

Mining  in  the  Keran  Limestone  Mine  of  M/s  Harish  Cements  Ltd  located  in  the  Mandi district has not yet started as the matter is pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

## KARNATAKA

The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  vide  order  dated  27.07.2011  in  the  matter  of  Writ  Petition (Civil) No.562 of 2009 ordered complete ban of mining operation in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka. Subsequently, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in its second order in  Sept',  2012  entrusted Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to submit the report in this regard. The CEC in turn constituted a joint survey team and surveyed 166 iron ore leases. Based on the extent of irregularities, the CEC classified the mines into 3 categories A, B & C and  a  ceiling  of  30  MMT  productions  per  annum  has  been  prescribed  which  has  been approved by the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

****