Mining dumps a threat despite Supreme Court ban on mining (ToI)

TNN | May 28, 2013, 03.24 AM IST MARGAO: December 2006: A mining dump at the Tollem mines of Timblo minerals collapsed killing six workers. Sanguem police registered an offence against four officials of the mining company, including its managing director. They were charged under Section 304(A) (causing death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. June 17, 2011: A tailing dam collapsed at the Cuddegal mines of Fomento group claiming the lives of three mine workers. Curchorem police registered a case against the plant manager of Cuddegal mine owned by the Fomento group, for negligence, under Section 304(A) (causing death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. The magisterial inquiry that was conducted in the Cuddegal mishap by the then deputy collector, Quepem, Agnelo Fernandes had come out with a slew of measures to be taken by the mining companies to prevent recurrence of such failure of tailing embankments. Cut to the present: Though the Supreme Court-imposed ban on mining and dump-handling is in place, the mining dumps are as much vulnerable to monsoon threats as they were during the pre-ban period. At a meeting convened by the South Goa district collector and chairman of the district disaster management authority, N D Agrawal, last month, the issue of open iron ore dumps lying at the mining sites had figured prominently in the meeting. Highlighting the need to take measures to prevent possibility of any dumpslides during monsoons, Agrawal had directed the sub-divisional magistrates and taluka mamlatdars to inspect the mining sites located within their jurisdiction alongwith the representatives of the respective mine owners and take necessary steps. But, despite monsoons being round the corner, none of the mines have been inspected so far by the district administration. Deputy collector, Quepem, Prashant Shirodkar, speaking to TOI, sounded defiant. "We have not complied with the collector's order." Asked to specify the reason, Shirodkar said "it is impossible to inspect all the mines and the mining dumps," but failed to provide any convincing explanation why the task was beyond his means. The department of mines and geology is also wary of doing anything with regards to the mining dumps lest its action is construed to be in violation of the court ban. Director of mines and geology, Prasanna Acharya admitted that no directions have been issued to the mines to secure the mining dumps in view of the apex court ban. Asked how the court ban prevents the mines from putting in place preventive measures for the mining dumps, Acharya merely said, "We are being cautious lest anything done with regards to the mining dumps is construed as violation of court directions." Anti-mining activists are not convinced though. Rajendra Kakodar, speaking to TOI said, "The mining plan contains standard instructions for the mines mandating them to take care of the tailing dumps of stacked ore. The Supreme Court ban has only banned extraction of ore in-situ and transportation of mining dumps. There is nothing that stops the mining companies from putting measures in place for maintenance of the mining dumps. The preventive measures entail making some preparations - like digging trenches to drain off rainwater and stacking grout bags around the dumps so as to prevent run offs - and in no way involves handling of the dumps." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Mining-dumps-a-threat-despite-Supreme-Court-ban-on-mining/articleshow/20301955.cms