NEW DELHI | May 03, 2016: After more than a year of coal block auctions, there has been no operation in the Jharkhand mines and the delay could stretch further as the state government has 'suddenly found' forest areas amid the mining zones, a top government official told ET.
"They have suddenly found out what they call jungle jhaadi in the mining areas. Now, they would require fresh environment and forest clearances which will further delay mining operations," the official said.
A total of eight coal blocks with reserves close to 10 million tonne per annum were auctioned by the central government last year of which two were schedule II and the rest six were schedule III.
Schedule II blocks were those which were either operational or ready to operate and had all the necessary clearances including that of environment and forest. However, mines which had progressed towards development and could be amended if needed were categorised under schedule III.
According to the official, during the auctions they had all the clearances handy and there were no obstructions. "The centre has no role here. The state government has to be swift and get the clearances as soon as possible. We have communicated to them to speed up the clearance process," the official said.
As per an industry expert, the process of fresh forest clearances followed by new resettlement and rehabilitation would take up to another two years.
"Clearance processes are lengthy and tedious, and take a lot of time. Even if the Jharkhand government gets the clearances tomorrow, it will take a minimum of two years before they could start mining.
In the auctions concluded last year, two schedule II mines - Tokisud North and Kathautia - were given to Essar Power and Hindalco. Six schedule III mines were given to JSW Steel, Usha Martin, Trimula Industries, Aranya Mines, Adani Power and GMR Chhattisgarh.
(Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)