CHITRADURGA: Illegal mining is rampant in Hosadurga and Holalkere taluks of the district. An RTI revelation states that 9,750 metric tonnes of iron ore has been illegally extracted from mines located at Siddagondanahalli village.
The Department of Mines and Geology which first noticed this, raided the mines in survey number 52 of Siddagondanahalli village (Hosur Bhovi Hatti) of Hosadurga taluk and seized 9,750 metric tonnes of iron ore. It imposed a fine of Rs 1,01,21,597 from Nafri Mines and Minerals Private Ltd, for illegal activities.
The department which seized 32,400 metric tonnes of iron ore in 2009, auctioned the same for Rs 5,00,04,000 to Chitradurgabased Nafri Mines and Minerals Private Ltd in 2009. Meanwhile, during the transit of the 5,000 tonnes, Nafri Mines illegally transported about 9,750 metric tonnes by concocting the permits issued by the department. Apart from this, official documents of 2010 insisted that the said company should lift the residue stock of 27,400 MT within 45 days, failing which it would be confiscated. But till date, the stock has not been lifted by Nafri minerals. Udaya Shankar told Express: "The said stock of 27,400 tonnes is still lying in the same spot. This issue was discussed during the district task force committee, which was instructed to get the difference of royalty and allow Nafri to lift the stock." Stock at Kondapura in Holalkere taluk (15,000 MT) and Siddagondanahalli (27,400 MT) are pending due to the rains, but this will also be disposed at the earliest.
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