Sequences of events:
- Government formed M.B.Shah Commission. To investigate illegal mining of iron & manganese in 6 states.
- 2012: Shah gives report
- Environment ministry temporarily suspended mining in Goa.
- Supreme Court ordered ban on mining
- SC formed panel under C.R.Babu, to suggest annual limit on iron ore extraction from Goa.
- Now CR Babu gave interim report.
What are CR Babu’s interim recommendations?
- Supreme court should lift the ban on iron ore mining in Goa.
- BUT put restriction/cap- Max. 20 million tonnes per year.
- Create permanent fund from mining companies’ profit. Use this cash to benefit of local junta.
- Impose cess on mining activity.
- Use this cess money to setup an ecological centre. This centre will monitor ecosystem in mining areas.
- setup mineral corporation. (in other words, let PSU extract ore, and prohibit private companies)
- Don’t give new mining permission without adequate regulatory and technological measures.
- Conduct study before settingup new plants of low-grade iron ore.
Why is Illegal mining bad for India?
- Huge loss to state revenue due to illegal mining.
- An increase in dust pollution, deforestation.
- more health disorders
- Landscape degraded, soil fertility declines, agricultural productivity lost.
- Extensive degradation of landscape
- Negative hydrological systems in the mining belt.
CONGO | oil extraction near Virgunga nation park.this park is home of mountain gorillas (rare and endangered) |
UGANDA | oil extraction near Lake Kivu (between Uganda and Kivu). This site is close to river nile’s source. |
INDONESIA | equatorial forest cut down to make space for Palm oil cultivation. Even leading to forest fires. |
Gold Ore Tailing
- GOT, is the waste material after separating gold from the gangue of gold ore.
- Why in news? Hutti Gold Mines Ltd. (HGML). It’s a PSU under Karnataka state.
- HGML is the only producer of primary gold in the country.
- It sold tonnes of Gold Ore Tailing (GOT) to a private company, at throwaway price, from Chitradurga district.
- PSU gave Reasons for selling off the GOT at throwaway price
- GOT has high cyanide content, causes water pollution.
- We needed space to expand the existing mines.
- We had clearance from Indian bureau of mines (IBM)
Mock Question: Find correct statement(s) about Gold ore trailing.
- GOT, is the waste material after separating gold from the gangue of gold ore.
- GOT has high level of cyanide.
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
What will the Private company do with the GOT? As its just a waste material, after primary gold is seperated from gangue?
why the private company buying that waste product? what it will do with that material?