It seems, this hazardous dirt may soon settle down once for all and make way for a clear air for the first time after many decades at several hamlets and small towns located close to iron ore mines in Bellary.
The notification of Karnataka (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals) Rules, 2011, on April 1, has among other things banned unauthorised stocking of iron ore. The notification that repeals the earlier 2008 rules, makes it mandatory to store ore only in registered stockyards. All existing mineral stockyards have to register with the office of the Deputy Director, Mines and Geology, within three months. The notification has been issued close on the heels of Supreme Court constituted Central Empowered Committee’s visit to the State.
Unauthorised stocking of iron ore along highways is common across Bellary district. Dust (iron ore fines) from these stockyards pervades the air, damaging the environment and human health. Hundreds of families have been forced to abandon their villages that are located near mines and settle down elsewhere because of the problem, official sources said.
“The problem had become severe due to rampant illegal mining. In the absence of stringent rules to prevent reckless stocking of iron ore, hundreds of unauthorised stockyards had cropped up in the district. Those who were into illegal mining used to dump iron ore along highways till they made some arrangements to transport the stock. The new rules will put an end to this menace,” sources said.
Submission of accounts
The new rules also make it mandatory for the owners of the stockyards to submit accounts of quantity of minerals obtained, its sources and sale or disposal before the competent authority every month.
This apart, the notification has introduced an entirely a new system of iron ore transportation to put a break on illegal mining.
Accordingly, only those holding mineral dispatch permits (MDP) will be allowed to transport minerals. Besides, vehicles transporting ore will have to be mandatorily fitted with GPS. If the mining lease is located on forest land, one has to obtain Forest Way Pass from the Deputy Conservator of Forests to transport the mineral.
In order to ensure that the MDPs are not misused, the permits have been made valid only from the mine head to the destination. Even the validity of MDPs have been restricted. If a vehicle is transporting minerals by road, the MDP will be valid up to 100 km a day and for a maximum of eight days for distances beyond 500 km. Earlier, the permits were valid for 30 days.