HCL hopes for early resolution to Sudra mines, eyes to retain 3 more
JAMSHEDPUR: Indian Copper Complex (ICC), a subsidiary of the public sector undertaking Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), is hoping for an early resolution to a Rs126-crore fine imposed by the East Singhbhum assistant mining officer (AMO) for not getting environment clearance for Surda copper mines, officials aware of the development said on Wednesday. It challenged AMO Nadim Safi’s order in a mining tribunal in Delhi, which has asked for all documents within 15 days during the last hearing on Friday.
Sudra mines were leased out to ICC for an annual mining of 4 lakh tonnes in 1998 after getting clearance from the state government and the state pollution control board. While hearing a case related to illegal mining on August 2, 2017, the Supreme Court made it mandatory for all mining contracts above five acres, starting 2006, to secure environment clearance.
It will not be proper for me to comment on the case as it is subjudice. We will comply with whatever direction and guideline comes from the state government,” Safi said.
Meanwhile, ICC has also set its eyes to retain three copper blocks in Patahrgora, Dhobni and Kisangariya. Two top executives of HCL-ICC met Jharkhand chief secretary Sudhir Triapathy in Ranchi on Tuesday.
“The Union ministry of mines has written to the state government for keeping Patahrgora, Dhobni and Kisangariya copper blocks with HCL-ICC. We had a meeting with Jharkhand chief secretary Sudhir Triapathy on these copper blocks in Ranchi on Tuesday,” said Sanjay Singh, general manager of HCL-ICC, who accompanied its CMD San- tosh Sharma.
Singh informed the state government that Pathargora copper mines were located near Surda mines, where they already have a concentrator plant and other infrastructure. “It will be easy to start mining and using the mineral if the lease is sanctioned early,” he added.
ICC is ready to resume copper mining in Rakha and start Chapri mines when chief minister Raghubar Das inaugurates them. Rakha mines were shut in 2003. “The expansion of the Mosaboni plant, and the opening of new and old copper mines will provide direct and indirect employment to about 10,000 people,” said Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato.