[BREAKING] Supreme Court allows resumption of iron ore mining and export in Karnataka

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday allowed the resumption of iron ore mining and export in Karnataka, more than a decade after it restricted the same. (Samaj Parivartana Samudaya and ors vs State of Karnataka and ors).A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli noted that the time had come to review the system put in place over a decade ago towards the unchecked excavation of iron ore in the three districts of Karnataka. "Ever since then, e-auction has been the only mode available for disposal of the excavated iron ore. The said arrangement has worked out satisfactorily so far. The situation that was prevalent in the region prior to the year 2011, has now changed for the better. Having regard to the course correction that has taken place, the regeneration post the ruinous damage caused to the environment and the various steps taken by the Government, we are of the opinion that the order passed on September, 2011 deserves to be relaxed.".Noting that the e-auction is receiving a low response, the Court called for its 2011 order imposing constraints on the sale of iron ore mined in the State to be relaxed. It also allowed export of iron ore, subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the Government of India..The Court in this regard observed," ... we are inclined to favourably consider the prayer made by the applicants and grant them permission to sell the already excavated iron ore stock-pile at various mines and stock yards located in the Districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga in the State of Karnataka, without having to resort to the process of e-auction. Permission is granted to the applicants to enter into direct contracts to lift the excavated iron ore through inter State sales. We also grant permission to the applicants to export the iron ore and pellets manufactured from the iron ore produced from the mines situated in the State of Karnataka, to countries abroad, as is being done in the rest of the country, but strictly in terms of the extant policy of the Government of India."It also sought an opinion from the oversight committee on lifting of ceiling limit for production, mining lease etc. The committee was directed to send its recommendation in four weeks.The matter will be heard next in July..The present plea was filed under Article 132 of the Constitution over two decades ago, seeking directions to stop all mining and related activities in the forest areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh being carried out and in violation of the order in T.N. Godavarman Tirumulpad v. Union of India1 and the Forest (Conservation) Act.After a Central Empowered Committee report in 2011, all mining activity was prohibited in the District of Bellary, followed by the Districts of Tumkur and Chitradurga. .Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for the petitioners in the current rounds of hearings. [Read order]