Team News Riveting
Raipur, September 18
State-owned Odisha Minerals Development Company (ONDC) Limited cleared a major hurdle in its race to restart mining in the Bagiaburu iron ore mine after nearly a decade.
The company, a Government of India enterprise, has received the final approval from the Ministry of environment, forest and climate change (forest conservation division), the government of India for diversion of 21.52 hectares of forest land for iron ore mining. The ministry issued the letter to this effect on Friday.
“This is for your kind information that Stage – II/Final approval of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & climate Change is hereby granted under section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of 21.52 ha of forest land in Uliburu Reserve Forest (including 2.107 ha of safety zone) for iron ore mining in Bagiaburu iron ore mines by M/s. Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd. in Keonjhar district, Odisha during 3rd RML period,” the ONDC said in a regulatory filing today.
Bagiaburu Iron Ore Mine is owned by The Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd. (OMDC). The Mining Lease is spread over 21.52 hectare in Barbil Tehsil of Keonjhar District of Odisha. The mine is closed since 2010 for want of Forestry and Environmental Clearances.
The total mineable reserves of Bagiaburu iron ore mine is 5.542 million tonnes (Mt) of iron ore (+58% Fe) with a life of 17 years.
The Government of Odisha has been asked to ensure the compliance of Forest Rights Act 2006.
