Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 28: As many as 339 mines in the state are currently lying non-operational, steel and mines minister Prafulla Kumar Samal told the Assembly Friday.
“Around 339 various mineral mines in the state are not operational at present,” Mallick said in a reply to a written question of member Sanatan Mahakud.
The information served by the minister reveals that of the closed mines, licenses of around 185 mines have been suspended. While nine mineral mines including two coal mines have remained closed in Angul, seven mines of graphite and limestone are closed in Bargarh district while 44 mines are closed in Bolangir district including 36 graphite mines.
Two quartz mines in Boudh and eight fireclay mines in Cuttack are also non-operational at present.
Besides , fine mineral mines in Dhenkanal, one in Ganjam, nine in Jajpur, one is Jharsuguda, 30 in Kalahandi, 72 in Kalahandi, one in Khurda, Nayagarh and Malkangiri, five in Koraput, 30 in Mayurbhanj, eight in Nuapada, 20 in Rayagada, four in Sambalpur, three in Sonepur, 77 mineral mines in Sundargarh have remained closed.
The minister said steps are being taken to operate these mines as per existing laws.
