Karnataka to challenge lifting of ore export ban

The chief minister said the state government is committed to curbing illegal mining and has not changed its stand on lifting the ban on ore export.

The Supreme Court has set a deadline of April 20 for the state government to take suitable measures required for curbing illegal mining. Within this timeframe, the state government will do its best to convince the Supreme Court on the prevailing ground realities and request it not to anul the ban, he added.

He said his government laid stress on value addition rather than exporting ore. He also welcomed the decisions taken by the Central Empowered Committee which conducted a survey of the mining areas in Bellary district as per the directions of the Supreme Court.