SC allows iron ore export from major Karnataka ports

The Supreme Court Friday allowed the export of the iron ore lying at major ports of Karnataka. As the state government had banned the ore's offshore movement in July 2010 in the wake of widespread allegations of illegal mining, the ore was held up at these ports.

An apex court bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice A.K. Patnaik, meanwhile, told the state government to notify the Karnataka Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals Rules by March 31, 2011.

The court said that if the state government fails to notify the said rules by March 31, the iron ore mining companies can move the apex court for interim relief.

The Karnataka government had published the Karnataka Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals Rules on Feb 5 this year for inviting objections and suggestions by the public.

The state government by its order July 26 and July 28, 2010, had banned the export of iron ore in the wake of widespread reports of illegal mining. However, the export of iron ore from minor ports of the state will continue to be banned.