Rehabilitation Plans for Miners

Minister of Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Dinsha J. Patel informed Rajya Sabha today in a written reply that the Central Empowered Committee, set up by the Supreme Court of India, in the Final Report on Mining in Karnataka has categorised all iron ore mines in Karnataka into three categories ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ on the basis of extent of violation, and has recommended that mining in iron ore mines in Karnataka can be allowed for Category ‘A’ and ‘B’ mines. The Supreme Court, while agreeing to the recommendations of Central Empowered Committee, has directed that mining may be allowed for Category ‘A’ and ‘B’ mines on the condition, inter-alia, that a Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan for these mines is prepared, implemented and monitored under the supervision of the Central Empowered Committee.

Shri Patel further informed that, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been directed to prepare Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan for Category ‘A’ mines having a lease area 50 hectare and above within two months, after which Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan for category ‘B’ mines with lease area of more than 50 hectares would be prepared and finally Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan for remaining Category ‘A’ and ‘B’ mines would be then prepared. The lessee will then submit approved Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan along with Mining Plan / Mining Scheme to the Indian Bureau of Mines for approval of the Mining Plan / Mining Scheme.

SKS