CHITRADURGA: Everything seemed to be in order and there was no chaos at the mines belonging to SESA Goa, BBH and John Mines at D Madakaripura, Megalahalli and Bheemasamudra villages of the district on Monday, as ore extraction and transportation had remained suspended for a week in the wake of visit of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).The CEC, which landed in the district on Sunday to assess the damages caused by mining activities on the environment, moved across 11 mines and gathered enough necessary information. The team will visit some mining areas in Hosadurga taluk on Tuesday before moving to Tumkur district. On Monday, the team was led by member Mahendra Vyas, principal chief conservator of forests Dr U V Singh and director of department of mines and geology H R Srinivas. Committee chairman P V Jayakrishnan, who showed signs of uneasiness during his return on the first day of the visit, was staying at Jogimatt forest guest house. The team, which entered SESA Goa Mines at 10 am went to John Mines through internal routes, and came out at BBH Mines. Then, they visited Narahari Mines, Janthakal Mines, Mahabalesh Mines, Pooja Mines and Anjana Mines.Transportation stoppedDuring the team’s visit, transportation of ores was completely stopped. For the last three days, not a single ore-laden track moved to Sasalu railway station where empty bogies are stationed. The railway station was the hub of activities. SESA Goa (A Narrain Mines), John Mines and BBH Mines used to transport ore only through wagons.Hundreds of residents from the neighbouring villages were present during the CEC visit to SESA Goa at Megalahalli. Even before the media could question them, they approached media persons and said mines were providing basic infrastructure in the area such as schools, public toilets, hospitals, roads and drinking water, besides helping students by issuing books and uniforms.They also said, SESA Goa was involved in helping farmers grow crops by alternative methods, and was asking people not to stop mining activities. Sources said that the team questioned the SESA Goa officials about covering waste dumps with coir mats and lack of firm growing trees in the leased areas.Later, during the teams’ visit to John mines, they discovered some difference over the marking of boundary and the increase of width in road at BBH mines.Media at bayThe media was kept at bay by the police and private security guards at the mines. They were not even allowed till the gate. Some mine employees even tried to snatch cameras of media persons.
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