In partial relief to the mining industry in Karnataka, the Supreme Court on Monday lifted the ban on iron ore in three districts of the state.
The apex court lifted the ban in A category mines in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts after the court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommended that mining leases, consisting of 21 operational and 24 non-operational, be allowed to carry out mining operations.
Last week the Supreme Court had indicated that it may permit resumption of iron ore mining in the mines, provided they complied with all statutory forest and environmental clearances.
The A category mines are those who are either free of any illegality or had committed marginal illegalities in their mining operations. C category mines are the ones with maximum illegalities.
The bench also said that companies will have to damages for causing harm to environment for indulging in illegal mining in the state.
–Agencies