<p>According to his information, about 8.5 lakh tonnes of iron ore made "a mysterious" disappearance from the Belekere Port in Karwar in Karnataka, he told reporters here.<br /><br />There have been allegations that besides Belekere port, iron ore was exported illegally from Vishakapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh.<br /><br />The Yeddyurappa government yesterday referred illegal export of minerals, including iron ore, from 2000 till date to Lokayukta probe, after the Opposition stepped up their campaign and demanded a CBI probe into the issue.<br /><br />The Opposition accused the ministers-cum-mining magnets Reddy brothers -- G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy -- of involvement in the alleged multi-crore scam.<br /><br />The Lokayukta probe would also bring under scanner the "raising contract" that has been prevalent in illegal mining, Hedge said.<br /><br />Under the raising contract, a person is permitted to carry out mining activity on behalf of the mining lease holder.</p>
<p>According to his information, about 8.5 lakh tonnes of iron ore made "a mysterious" disappearance from the Belekere Port in Karwar in Karnataka, he told reporters here.<br /><br />There have been allegations that besides Belekere port, iron ore was exported illegally from Vishakapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh.<br /><br />The Yeddyurappa government yesterday referred illegal export of minerals, including iron ore, from 2000 till date to Lokayukta probe, after the Opposition stepped up their campaign and demanded a CBI probe into the issue.<br /><br />The Opposition accused the ministers-cum-mining magnets Reddy brothers -- G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy -- of involvement in the alleged multi-crore scam.<br /><br />The Lokayukta probe would also bring under scanner the "raising contract" that has been prevalent in illegal mining, Hedge said.<br /><br />Under the raising contract, a person is permitted to carry out mining activity on behalf of the mining lease holder.</p>