The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has approved a Karnataka government plan to reallocate 51 ‘C’ category mines in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts through e-auction.

The CEC in its report submitted to the apex court also said end users means industries located or proposed to be located in Karnataka and which are engaged or would be engaged in production of sponge iron, pig iron or integrated steel and pellet manufacturing units.

“The successful bidders or lessees will not be eligible to sell mineral produced in the auctioned mining leases to others or to export,” the CEC said.

The Supreme Court had earlier cancelled the mining operations in 51 mines in Karnataka after allegations that gross violations in excavation of ore. 

The panel also suggested that the existing statutory approvals/clearance of 51 mining leases of C category be transferred in favour of the new lessees. The authorities will take expeditious action for granting statutory approvals such as the environmental clearance and approval / temporary working permission (TWP) under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, it said.

The transfer of the mining lease will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Ordinance, 2015.