ENSURE SCIENTIFIC MINING IN HARMONY
WITH NATURE-RAMESH BAIS
Union Minister for
Mines Shri Ramesh Bais has said sustainable development can be
achieved by harmonizing conservation of mineral resources and
development concerns through a well-planned strategy. "While we
strive to achieve higher productivity we should be careful about
maintaining ecological balance" he said, the Government has recently
notified a mine closure scheme which envisages reclamation and
rehabilitation of mineral area on cessation of mining and prescribes
minimum size for mining lease to ensure systematic and scientific
mining. While presenting the Social Awareness Awards and Environment
Awards today at the 37th Annual General Meeting of
the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) he said, FIMI
as the nodal body representing the Indian Mineral Industry, has
always been in the forefront in highlighting important issues
before the industry. The awards instituted by FIMI provides tremendous
motivation for environmental protection and promotion of social
awareness in the mining industry.
Inaugurating
the meeting Shri Bais said a major thrust was necessary for development
of infrastructure facilities in mineral bearing areas through
an integrated approach for development of the region and social
and economic upliftment of the local population, mostly tribals.
Community development programmes should be taken up as a remedial
measure in identified underdeveloped mining pockets, he said.
He outlined ministry's
activities in streamlining mineral policies in tune with the economic
liberalisation, which has resulted in grant of reconnaissance
permits to multinational companies for aerial survey of high value
minerals. Referring to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development
and Regulation) Act 2002, he said the act aims at development
and regulation of mineral resources in the territorial waters,
continental shelf, exclusive economic zones and other maritime
zones of India. India has adopted United Nations Framework Classification
(UNFC) for reserves, which aims at introducing digital code based
system of classification of resources to make Indian mineral sector
more viable and investor friendly.
FIMI President
Shri P.R.Tripathy outlined the major milestones achieved by the
mining industry in production, trade, infrastructure development,
mineral exploration and community and social development in mining
areas. The competitiveness of Indian mineral industry mostly depends
on the infrastructure facilities like excellent roads and rail
links, ports and lower cost of freight and power. He said mining
is not even remotely one of the main causes of destruction of
forests. The mining sector in 2001-02 has planted 58 million trees
covering an area of nearly 26, 650 hectares. He pleaded for doing
away with the policy of captive mining pursued by State Governments
as it hinders the progress of mining industry.
Shri Tripathy
appealed all concerned to clear the reconnaissance permit applications
expeditiously. He said exploration work, to fructify at ground
level takes time. Future exploration works needs a reorientation,
so that the results of liberalisation and investments are realized.
With regard to the requirement of a public hearing for mining
projects, he said that the policy needs to be reviewed and should
be applicable in cases of new large mining projects of 100 hectares
or more but not in the case of renewals where the lease is operating
at the last 30-40 years.
Sita Ram Rungta
Social Awareness Award 2002-03 was bagged by NMDC's Donimalai
Iron Ore Mines, Karnataka and 2002-03 NMDC Social Awareness Award
went to Maihar Cement Limestone Mines of Madhya Pradesh. Four
Environment awards were given to Bailadila Iron Ore Project Deposit
14 & 11c of NMDC, Chhatisgarh, Arasmeta Limestone Mines in
Chhatisgarh, Tummalapenta Limestone Mines of Andhra Pradesh and
Ilmenite Mines Rare Earths Ltd. of Tamil Nadu.
