The government should abolish duties and simplify rules in securing mining leases to support domestic heavy minerals mining sector which has the potential of exponential growth, an industry association has said. Continue reading “Ease rules, scrap taxes to promote heavy minerals mining: BMPA”
Category: Media News
Beach mining industry in distress
The federation of beach mineral producers’ association has appealed to the government to lift the ban on mining imposed a few months ago following allegations of malpractices.
Chennai: The federation of beach mineral producers’ association has appealed to the government to lift the ban on mining imposed a few months ago following allegations of malpractices. Continue reading “Beach mining industry in distress”
Plea to lift beach sand mining ban
Representatives of various industries’ association from southern districts on Tuesday appealed to chief minister Jayalalithaa to lift the suspension of beach sand mining in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts as it derailed the livelihood of over 50,000 families with breadwinners losing jobs. The association also sought an appointment with CM to explain their plight.
“We welcome the government decision to survey the mines to find out any violations or illegal beach mining. The companies involved in irregularities can be penalised but closing down the entire industry has affected the lives of poor coastal communities,” convener Paul Raja of Tirunelveli-Tuticorin Small and Medium Industries Association told reporters here. He insisted that there were no violations of any mining rules and the companies were open for probe.
Paul Raja said suspension of mining had, apart from thousands of workers losing jobs, also resulted in the mining firms defaulting on their deliveries to foreign buyers and consequently facing fines.
Worse still, these long-time clients could migrate to suppliers in other countries. “Apart from our mining companies losing export contracts, the huge foreign exchange inflow too would collapse. The damage could be irreversible,” he pointed out.
Beach Minerals Producers’ Associations secretary K. Thangaraj said mining firms had so far incurred losses of Rs 800-1,000 crore due to suspension of mining.
About 50,000 tonnes of beach sand was being mined in a month by 22 companies. Asked about a charge that beach sand mining affected fishing in the area, he said the units did not use any chemical to separate the minerals from beach sand.
“We use magnets to separate the minerals from the mined sand. There has been no degradation of coastal areas,” he said, insisting that the miners had not indulged in irregularties.
Source : http://www.beachminerals.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=140&action=edit
TN ban on mineral sand mining hits downstream industries
R. BALAJI
Over half a dozen downstream companies will be impacted by the Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to halt mineral sand mining pending an enquiry into allegations of illegal exploitation of the resource.
According to the Mineral Welfare Association representing the industry workers, the ban on mining of beach sand in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli announced by the State Government on September 17 also affects the livelihood of 30,000 families and logistics operations in the Tuticorin Port.
The beach sand is a source of ilmenite and rutile – raw materials for making titanium and titanium dioxide – and garnet used in high-end abrasives. Industrial activity relating to sand blasting, ceramics, paint, cosmetics and welding will be affected by the ban on beach sand mining, according to the association.
Seven industrial units – DCW Ltd, Kilburn Chemicals, Kolmak Chemicals Ltd, Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd, Thiruvancore Titanium, Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd and Bala Murugan Chemicals – are dependent on the raw materials, the Association said.
In a representation to the State Government it urged mining to be allowed while investigations continue. If there are irregularities, the companies may then be penalised.
Another option would be to carry out the inspection in one district at a time while allowing others to operate.
Over 1,500 trucks are used for transporting the ore. The operations of the logistics services providers will also be hit by the month-long ban, the association said.
According to the Association, there are over 20 mining companies and lease holders involved in mineral sand mining over an area of 2,300 acres they own and 590 acres of Government land taken on lease. Even the licensed activities have been affected by the ban.
The industry is a strongly regulated one with every truck load of ore needing a permit before it can be moved.
(This article was published on September 22, 2013)
Source :- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/tn-ban-on-mineral-sand-mining-hits-downstream-industries/article5157258.ece