CHENNAI | Aug 12, 2015: Madras High Court on Tuesday set aside the order of a single judge vacating the central government’s ban on mining rare earth minerals in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu by VV Minerals and Trans World Garnet.The issue pertains to a government order on September 17, 2013, banning mining of beach minerals across the State on complaints of rampant illegal mining and over-exploitation of resources primarily in the southern districts.The Tamil Nadu government also constituted a committee under the then revenue secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi to enquire into the allegations and submit a report. It also announced to come out with policy recommendations for the industry based on the findings of the committee.In July last, a single judge quashed the central government’s orders suspending mining activities by VV Minerals and Trans World Garnet.Claiming non-availability of the order copies, the Indian Bureau of Mines (IMB) approached a the first bench of the High Court challenging the single judge’s order after 210 days of delay.
(Source: http://www.nyoooz.com/)