Mines ministry disagrees with panel suggestion on export ban

New Delhi: The mines ministry has disagreed with the Justice Shah Committee’s suggestion of banning exports of iron ore and manganese ore to check illegal mining, saying that the export of minerals is guided by policy, and it has referred the matter to the Ministry of Commerce. [caption id=“attachment_161410” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Raman Kirpal/ Firstpost”] [/caption] Justice MB Shah Commission, which looked into illegal mining of iron ore and manganese ore, had advocated a ban on export of these minerals running into billions of rupees, and warned that such activities could influence state policies besides promoting illegal mining. The Ministry of Mines, while referring the issue to the Department of Commerce has differed with the Commission’s view and said exports cannot be held as the reason for illegal mining; rather it is “lack of governance” at the state-level which has largely contributed to illegal mining. “Export of 92 percent of iron ore fines to China to fulfill its requirements led to increase in illegal mining… This has increased menace of mafia controlling mining activities …it has given unimaginable huge profits,” Justice Shah Commission has said in its first interim report. “The Ministry is of the view that a ban on export of iron ore may not be feasible”, the ministry said, adding that exports are guided by Export-Import Policy under Ministry of Commerce. PTI