Supreme Court: Mining Plan, E-auction for Iron Ore, Review of Clearances

The Supreme Court accepted the Recommendations by the Central Empowered Committee regarding the Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan for mining leases, specifying that mining should not extend to unbroken forest areas. The sale of iron ore from cancelled stockyards was permitted through E-auction, with proceeds reimbursed if found legal. Interlocutory applications were dismissed as not pressed. The Ministry of Environment and Forests was directed to review earlier granted clearances in light of the Plan.

---

---

Issues involved: Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan, Mining in forest areas, Statutory clearances, Sale of iron ore, E-auction, Monitoring Committee, Central Empowered Committee report, Interlocutory applications

Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan: The Supreme Court accepted the Recommendations made by the Central Empowered Committee in its Report dated 18th April, 2012, with a specific clarification that individual Reclamation and Rehabilitation report for each mining lease(s) would specify unbroken forest area. Mining in appropriate cases falling in Category 'A' was allowed, but it was directed that it should not extend to unbroken forest areas. The Ministry of Environment and Forests was directed to re-visit the statutory clearances earlier granted by it in the light of the Reclamation and Rehabilitation Plan.

Sale of iron ore: The Court permitted the sale of iron ore lying at various cancelled stockyards through E-auction by the Monitoring Committee. It was specified that the sale proceeds not found to be involved in any illegality would be reimbursed to the respective stockyards. The Report of the Central Empowered Committee dated 13th March, 2012, was accepted in respect of ML 2581 of M/s. SMIORE.

Interlocutory applications: The learned counsel appearing in I.A. Nos.47 and 48 requested that these interlocutory applications be dismissed as not pressed, and the Court ordered accordingly.

---