core sector communique

Foreign Mining Companies in Tribal Areas

Minister of Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Dinsha J. Patel informed Lok Sabha today in a written reply that the Government has received representation from local organization on involvement of non-tribal private individuals and companies in the mining leases granted to Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) for minerals laterite, dolomite, china clay, bauxite etc. in tribal areas of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Khammam, Warangal and Adilabad districts. Taking into account, the concerns expressed by the local people relating to environment and ecology in the Araku region, the Government has held that the said region is inhabited by primitive tribes and mining may adversely impact their livelihood, and decided that the matter would be referred to a Committee in the Ministry of Environment and Forests to look into the issues regarding impact of bauxite mining on water table, catchments, reservoir, forest cover etc. Further, it has been decided to return back to the State Government of Andhra Pradesh 13 proposals seeking prior approval of Government for grant of mining lease in Sapparla Blocks (I-XIII), Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, over an area of 1757 hectares in favour of the APMDC for a period of 30 years. However, as per available information, there is no bauxite mining being undertaken in Andhra Pradesh , the Minister said