BALLARI: Even as environmentalists are opposing the state government’s move to allow iron ore mining on 10,000 acres of an eco-sensitive zone in Sandur, the Centre has cleared 21 new mining leases in various parts of the district.
Based on a recommendation by the state government, 21 new mining leases were approved under Section 5(1) of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act by the Union government. However, these leases will be executed subject to forest clearance. The lease holders are said to have approached the Forest Department in Ballari with necessary documents seeking its clearance for mining on forest land.
Sources told Express on anonymity that once the approval under 5(1) of the MMDR Act is obtained, getting forest clearance is only a formality.
The Centre has approved new leases on around 2,231 acres (903.52 hectares) in Sandur, Hospet and Ballari. A majority of the leases, except four, were initiated between 2004 and 2008.
According to documents available with Express, the largest area approved for any company in a single lease number is around 518 acres (210 hectares) for P M Mines and Minerals Pvt Ltd.
This is followed by Bellary Steel and Alloys Ltd, which was allotted around 300 acres (121.41 hectare) and Kalyani Steel Ltd, around 443 acres (179.7 hectares)in Jaisingpur, and Kumaraswamy ranges, respectively.
A source in the Forest Department told Express the process of clearance for these leases was at various stages of completion with the department.