Sarda Mines Private Limited (SMPL) has been ordered to stop mining operations at its Thakurani deposit at Keonjar district in Odisha (India) for violating environmental laws. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has told the State government to stop mining activities till the project is granted clearance by State Pollution Control Board.
In January, the Supreme Court had allowed SMPL to operate the Thakurani iron ore mines provided it paid around Rs 9.33bn towards environmental compensation to the State government.
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) which sources high quality of iron ore from Thakurani deposit (lease holder of Sarda Mines) for its Barbil and Raigarh unit, has clarified that this decision will not impact its operation.
The Supreme Court had granted permission to JSPL to lift the 7mn mt iron ore stock still lying at SMPL premises. Company has already transported 7.28mn mt iron ore from the mines to its pellet plant at Barbil unit in the fiscal year 2019-20.