BHOPAL | July 24, 2017: The CM wanted to formulate a sand mining policy which would ensure sustainable mining, environmental protection and welfare of the mining workers, said Manohar Dubey, MD of MP State Mining Corporation, while talking to Free Press. Dubey is also secretary of Mineral Resources Department.

An IAS officer of 2000 batch, Dubey has served as collector of Seoni, additional secretary, Public Services Management Department and secretary, MPPSC. He is a postgraduate in mathematics.

FP: What is the mandate of Mining Corporation?

Dubey: MP State Mining Corporation was established in 1962. It is a state government undertaking with a fixed capital of Rs 2 crore by the government. The company is dealing in major and minor minerals, including sand, rock phosphate, diaspore, pyrophyllite and others. It is operating sand mines in 18 districts. Rock phosphate is being excavated from Sagar and Meghnagar. We are running diaspore and pyrophyllite mines in Tikamgarh. The corporation was also having 10 coal blocks but later the allocation was cancelled.

FP: Does the corporation have joint ventures with other companies?

Dubey: Yes, the corporation has signed MoUs with four companies. It has 11 per cent share in a joint venture with Katni Bauxite Private Limited and 20 per cent in Granite Future. The corporation is going to explore minerals in the state in collaboration with NMDC and MOIL Limited. In a joint venture with NMDC with 49 per cent shareholding, the corporation will explore iron ore, diamonds and bauxite. With MOIL it will explore manganese. The corporation will not invest in the exploration work but if the minerals are discovered, it will get its share in the revenue.

FP: What recommendations were made in the recent workshop for preparing a framework of policy of sand marketing and transport?

Dubey: The workshop was very rewarding. The CM wants to cover all the aspects in the sand mining policy. He feels a blanket ban on mining will be harmful. Various recommendations have emerged from the workshop, including on use of modern technology for curbing illegal mining and transportation of sand. Many technology interventions have been suggested to check illegal mining and transportation from areas not legally sanctioned, including use of satellite imagery and drones. In case of illegal mining from legally-sanctioned mines, we are planning to control TP generation and movement through e-surveillance. An integrated application for comprehensive monitoring is being developed which will include cameras in mining areas, use of satellite imagery and smart TP on-site TP generation. Transportation will be done through GPS- and RFID-tagged trucks on notified routes and RFID nakas, weigh bridges will be electronically linked to the application.

We are planning depots to be run by government agencies which will be electronically enabled. Use of Mining Tenement System for sand mining, assessment of availability through the use of technology and use of technology in enforcement are also planned.

The development of consumption monitoring system is also being planned to ensure consumption commensurate with production. Consumers will be required to show from where the sand was obtained for obtaining NOC. Consumers will have access the portal for getting NOC.

FP: What about sand mining in river Narmada?

Dubey: At many places from Jabalpur to Alirajpur, sand excavation is necessary. If the excavation is not done it will adversely affect the flow of the river and its biodiversity.

FP: How many sand mines does the corporation have the state?

Dubey: The corporation is holding 1,266 mines in 18 districts, of which 956 have been auctioned. There are 160 mines in Narmada, of which 145 have been auctioned and 87 are operating. In other rivers there 1,106 mines, of which 811 have been auctioned and 358 are operating.

FP: What is the proposed sand mining policy of the state?

Dubey: We prefer to call it sand harvesting rather than sand mining. We are planning:

• To scientifically measure the volume of sand excavation.
• To preserve the biodiversity of the river only that much volume will be permitted to excavate which is been deposited in one year.
• Sand harvesting plan will be according to environment clearance (EC) norms.
• Use of manpower and machines according to EC norms.
• Only tractor trolleys will be permitted at the banks of the rivers.
• Sand harvesting will be done by private agencies and they will be selected through open tender.
• A sand trading portal will be established on which the traders can log in and can book the quantity.
• Booking time will be from 9 am to 12 noon.
• 48 hours will be given for transportation.
• Payment will be done online from 12.30 pm to 6 pm.
• The collector will choose place for depot, it will be equipped with the CCTV, internet, computer, power and fencing.
• Vehicle tracking will be done online with GPS.

FP: What are the present initiatives taken by the corporation?

Dubey: The corporation has already taken many steps including use of e-transit pass application developed, use of geo fencing for mine and storage. The department has floated EOI for GPS monitoring of vehicles and smart weigh bridge

FP: What is your mission?

Dubey: To make MPSMCL a global organisation capable of competing at national and international level. Creating a website for MPSMCL will bring important visibility online. We will set up an internet shop. By having a dedicated website we will get access to more markets.

FP: Your future plans?

Dubey: To search for major and minor minerals and precious stones in Madhya Pradesh. To acquire by purchase or otherwise any ores or minerals produce for the purpose of working and rendering the same marketable, and selling and disposing of the same, and to carry on any business which may seem convenient in connection with the development of the Company’s mines, and property or which may seem calculated enhance the value thereof.

We also intend to acquire mining rights by obtaining licenses/leases from the government and to raise on behalf of government major and minor minerals or such other “specified” minerals which have been reserved or likely to be reserved for exploitation by the public sector.

(Source: http://www.freepressjournal.in/)