Setback for VISL revival as CCF bins captive mine plan in Sandur forest

Ballari: The attempt by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to have a captive mine for the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited in the Ramanamalai (Ramagad) forest block of Sandur taluk in the district, in a bid to revive the company, seems to have fallen flat.

The chief conservator of forests of the Ballari circle has rejected a proposal by SAIL for land mutation of 150 acres (60.7 hectares) of forest area for the Ramanadurga iron ore mine.

Earlier, on December 1, 2025, the deputy conservator of forests of the Ballari zone had nixed VISL’s proposal.

The DCF had submitted a report in this regard to the CCF and the latter has now upheld the report, thereby rejecting the proposal.

The CCF also recommended, on January 12, to the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF-forest protection) not to receive SAIL’s proposal on the captive mine for VISL.

In the report, the CCF said that the area identified for the captive mine was a virgin forest rich in biodiversity. About 29,400 trees would have to be axed to make way for the mine, thereby rendering it unfeasible, says the report.