The field survey of iron ore mines, which was undertaken by the Odisha government on the instructions of the M B Shah commission to detect mining operation beyond leasehold area, has not revealed any major irregularities.

The government is likely to submit its report the commission in two to three days following completion of field verification at various sites in iron ore rich Keonjhar district.

Over 1000 Goans hit by the iron ore mining ban on Thursday began a 2-day "dharna" at Jantar Mantar near the Parliament House here under the banner of the Leftist Goenchea Mining Lokancho Manch (Goa

The Goa government will inform the Centre of its stand on the critical matter of buffer zones of wildlife sanctuaries and parks by Monday, a crucial step that will allow the Ministry of Environment

About 50 mines, out of 186 iron and manganese ore mines in the state, are now operating with many miners halting their operation due to lack of statutory clearances

The Supreme Court judgment for cancellation of 49 iron ore leases in Karnataka on charges of rule violations may not have any bearing on fate of Odisha mines, also in dock for several rule violation, as the nature of crimes are different, said a state government official.

PANJIM: The Union Ministry of Mines dropped a bombshell Friday, by shooting a copy of the letter addressed to Orissa government to all State governments which says that basic Central government permissions were needed before renewal of mining leases and permissions from the Indian Bureau of Mines and assessment of amount of mineral left in the lease, feasibility and other such criteria need to be adhered to.

The two-page directions received by State Directorate of Mines come on the heels of the communiqué from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests stating that leases cannot be renewed in case any part of the mining lease comes within forest areas and for which forest clearance has to be obtained.

The Union mines ministry also advised the state govt to withdraw its resolution dated October 3 and 12 which goes against the interest of local miners.

Reacting to the Centre’s no to its administrative orders putting restrictions on mining lessees in the state, the Odisha government said that it is not bound to heed to the Central missive on the issue.

“They cannot compel us to withdraw the orders. We have not violated any act. These decisions were taken for benefit of stand-alone mineral based industries. We have followed all the rules and paraphernalia mentioned in the MMDR Act,” said Rajnikant Singh, state minister for steel and mines.

The Odisha government has allowed miners working under special conditions after expiry of lease validity to sell iron ore raised before October 2012 in the open market, which traders say would boost supply by around 10 million tonnes (mt).

"The lifting of the restriction would enable miners to sell iron ore and fines stacked since October, which would be somewhere between nine and 10 mt. It’s a welcome step and will boost ore availability for steel makers,” said Prabodh Mohanty, a spokesperson for the East Zone Miners' Association.

Experts and mining bodies in Odisha have criticised suspension of mining in the state, saying the irregularities in the system could have been rectified while mining was still on.

They said they fear the suspension will lead to a complete ban on mining in the state on the lines of Karnataka and Goa, where the Apex Court imposed a ban in 2011 and 2012. “Closing down of mines is suicidal for the development of mineral-based industries,” said P K Jena, former directorgeneral of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and chairman of Institute of Advance Technology and Environmental Studies.