State to introduce integrated permit system for mining

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said the State government intends to introduce integrated permit system for mining, wherein the lease holder will be able to generate permits of Forest, Mines and Geology and Commercial Taxes department in a single platform.

Speaking on the topic “Mining in Karnataka,” organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), Siddaramaiah said the State has identified nine blocks of iron ore having G4 level of data.

Their boundaries will be suitably redrawn and put for auction to grant composite licence as per Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2015 after upgrading the exploration data to G3 level.

He said similar efforts will be made to grant mining leases or composite licence of other notified minerals like limestone, manganese minerals also.

In view of the notoriety Karnataka mining sector had earned in the past leading to a blanket ban for quite long time, Siddaramaiah promised to bring transparency in allocation of minor minerals also. “The State intends to amend the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 and has published the proposed amendments in the public domain inviting comments and suggestions from the public and stake holders concerned. The same will be finalised and implemented at the earliest,” said the chief minister.

Siddaramaiah told the audience that the State government has already incorporated a new non-profit company called Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) to undertake overall development of the mining impact zones of three districts of Ballari, Tumakuru and Chitradurga out of the fund being so collected from the mine owners.

He said the State has submitted a draft action plan for Rs 2,000 crore to the Supreme Court and is awaiting its approval.

Survey for Sandur mine blocks begins

The Mines and Geology, Revenue and Forest departments have begun joint survey of mining blocks in Sandur forests for preparing a report on issuing fresh mining licences, reports DHNS from Ballari. The director of Mines and Geology department had written to his deputy at Hosapete to form mining blocks in the forest area and submit a report by June 15. However, the survey has begun after the expiry of the deadline.

The Union government has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, with retrospective effect from January 12, 2015. Under the amended law, mining blocks have to be allotted through e-auction. Hence, it is imperative to demarcate the boundaries of the mining blocks, the director had said in his letter.

The Mines and Geology department will adopt Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) for conducting the joint survey. The DGPS is an advanced version of GPS.