15 mining companies get notice to stop mining

The notices have been issued on the direction of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), in the light of illegal mining being carried out in these areas.

The Centre had directed the IBM to constitute a ‘special task force’ comprising officers from various departments to study the mining activities in April.

The team found that the mines they inspected had violated many rules.

According to IBM, Isro, Geographical Survey of India and National Remote Sensing Agency officers investigation team report, the following companies had violated the rules: Hospet’s Over Minerals, R Ramachandra Minerals, R Kaviraj Urs Minerals and Sandur limit’s J M Vrishabendraiah Mining Company, M G Range Gowda Mines, Surovar Mines, Associated Mining Company, Stark Mining, S V Srinivasalu Mining Company, Jaisingpur’s S B Minerals, Ramgad limit’s S B Minerals, Subbarayanahalli’s M M L Jinath Transport Company, N Sheiksab Mining Company and P Abbukar Mining Company.

These companies had continued with illegal mining even after notices were being issued and hence they should stop mining activities and return the mining permits to the Department of Mines and Geology in Hospet, the notice stated.

The copies of the notice had been sent to the deputy commissioner and divisional forest officer. The special task force team will once again visit the areas in two days and supervise if the mining companies were following the directions stated in the notice, said the officers.