Times of Indian reported that the smiles are back on iron ore workers as mines in Bellary have resumed operations.
After more than 1 and a half year, mining operations is slowly starting in the district. Though permission has been given to 3 companies in Bellary B Kumar Goud Mining Company, Nadeem Minerals and Tiffin Barryates only BKG has resumed operations from October 24th.
Permission was given only after the mining companies undertook reclamation and rehabilitation measures laid down by the Supreme court, mining of iron ore was prohibited by the apex court following allegations of large scale illegal mining.
Mr Aditya Amlan Biswas deputy commissioner of Bellary district said that permission has been given after the R&R plan undertaken by the companies was more than 80%.
Mr Biswas said that "BKG has resumed operations while others are yet to do. Though they can mine, they are not allowed to transport the ore according to conditions laid by the apex court. Ore can be transported only after e-auction."
The court constituted Central Empowered Committee, based on the illegality of the mining operations by the companies, had categorized firms as Category A, B and C. The mines in which there was least or no irregularities in was categorized as A and those with maximum illegalities as C category.
Mr P Srinivas Rao head of operations, BKG Mines said that his company falls in A category and has satisfied all the condition laid down by the SC.
Mr Rao said that "We started our production from October last week. Several officials monitoring committee including Mr UV Singh had visited our site and were satisfied with the conditions. We have been given permission to mine 0.64 million tonnes of iron ore a year ore."
He said that there were more than 200 employees in the company in all category and are happy that operations have resumed. Soon work will start in other companies and thousands of workers will have jobs in their hands.
