File photo of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Sixteen mining firms have applied to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, seeking permission to restart their operations in Bellary district, officials said today.
At present, 21 companies, including two of National Minerals Development Corporation, are working in the district, officials said, adding that 19 of the 21 mining companies are producing 6.88 million tonnes of iron ore per annum.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently told the Assembly that iron ore mining resumed in 25 lease areas in the state after the firms were allowed to continue operations in accordance with a Supreme Court (SC) directive, subject to certain conditions.
One condition is that the firms should submit rehabilitation and resettlement plans to the concerned authorities.
Karnataka had 166 mining leases, which were categorised as A, B and C by the Central Empowered Committee, depending on violations of norms. The licenses of all C category mines have been cancelled.
The 16 firms seeking permission to recommence operations do not fall under C category and are either under A or B.
The SC had pegged the annual mining of iron ore at 30 million tonnes but the Karnataka government has pleaded for reconsideration to raise the ceiling to 40 million tonnes.