Kozhikode: The fate of Karnataka-based MSPL Limited seeking clearance for iron ore mining at Alampara village in Kozhikode has been sealed with the State government rejecting the in-principle nod given to the company.
The Hospet-based MSPL Limited, the flagship company of Baldota Group, had applied for mining in 406.45 hectares in the ecologically sensitive region of the Western ghats. Based on a report by the district Collector and the department of forest and wildlife , the previous government had withdrawn the in- principle approval to carry out mining in the region. The reports have cited that the mining activities at Alampara region which is demarcated as ecologically sensitive in the K. Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats would impact the ecology and human settlements. Already an order by the Central government existed on banning mining in these sensitive regions.
However it is learnt that the MSPL authorities planned to move the Central Mining Tribunal challenging the government order. The proposal of the company is to set up a 5 MTPA (million tons per annum) iron ore mine and 1.8 MTPA Beneficiation Plant. Thus it was granted prior approval for mining of iron ore in Chakkittapara and at Mavoor and Kakkur in the district in 2010 for a period of 30 years.
Incidentally the High Court of Kerala had in February 2016 revoked the government order withdrawing the in- principle approval mentioning that MSPL had not been given enough opportunity to counter the report submitted by the district Collector. Subsequently the government held a hearing with MSPL representatives in July.
The MSPL authorities argued that as par the amended MMDR Act they had to fulfil the conditions of prior approval only by 10/01/2017. But the government cancelled to give further extension to the in- principle approval because “ the company representatives has not brought out any details which warrants re- examination of the decision taken on March 19, 2015, ” principal secretary, P H Kurian, said in the order.
Moreover the company could not submit the required Environment Clearance and it failed to carry out a survey the on area within the stipulated time, the order said.
Previously the the Chakkittappara grama panchayat has rejected an application of the company seeking local clearance for iron ore mining at Alampara village.
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