From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 18: Voicing serious concern over the non-availability of iron ore at affordable prices, which caused grave hardships to the labour and capital intensive steel industry, the Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturers' Association (KISMA) has urged the state government to take immediate steps for reopening all the ‘A' category mines permitted by the Supreme Court.
KISMA chief Vinod Nowal, who addressed a news conference in Bangalore on Tuesday, said the steel industry is facing threat of closure due to shortage of iron ore.
In a memorandum submitted to Karnataka Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, he said barely only four mines with annual permissible quantity of 1.96 MMT have resumed mining operations.
JSW Joint Director Sheshagiri Rao pointed out that of the Category 'A' mines cleared by the apex court, seven are yet to start the mining operations having the annual permissible production of 3.16 MMT.
“If all seven mines are operational about seven million ton iron ore will be available,” he said.
Rao also demanded the State to take up early disposal of the case wherein seven leases of category A1 mines are held up due to certain litigations pending before the apex court over issues related to temple, border dispute and forest land, among others.
He also urged the State to take the issue of setting up a committee and convene a meeting with all the concerned leas-holders of Category B mines to clarify the related issues and expedite resumption of mining operations at the earliest.
NMDC should be directed to ensure production of one MMT per month as against the existing 5.5 lakh tons per month, he suggested.
Though the Supreme Court order came last year, KISMA said it was lamentable that no action taken has been taken to enhance mining activities and Steel industries were facing severe hardship.
Rao felt import of iron ore was not viable due to heavy cost of transport.
Referring to the meeting KISMA had with the Chief Secretary, Rao said he had assured them of taking immediate steps to see that all the four ‘A' grade mines permitted would be functional and that meetings would be held very frequently.