Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:-

(a)       whether Government are aware of large scale illegal quarrying of iron ore in Karnataka;

(b)       whether it is also a fact that large-scale use of young children in both the legal and illegal quarries and the large-scale permanent damage on the environment by the unrelenting quarrying in these regions; and

(c)       the steps Government are taking to regulate such exploitation of the nation’s natural resources and regulating these mining activities in other areas like child labour and amenities for labour etc.? 

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES
(SHRI SIS RAM OLA)

(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION NO. 211 FOR 7.8.2006 ASKED BY SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR REGARDING ILLEGAL QUARRYING OF IRON ORE IN KARNATAKA

(a)   Instances of illegal mining of minerals, including iron ore, in the state of Karnataka have come to the notice of the Central Government.

(b)   As per available information, there is no reported instance of child labour in the legal mining leases, where it is necessary to obtain clearance under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 & Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and an approved mining plan, including mine closure plan for systematic rehabilitation and resettlement of mines. Some instances of illegal mines employing child labour have come to the notice of the Government. Illegal mining is done manually with damage to the sub-surface environment.

(c)  States being the owners of minerals are obligated to prevent illegal mining. Further, the Central Government has empowered the State Governments to frame Rules for prevention of illegal mining, storage and transportation of illegally mined minerals, regular monitoring by the Government on a quarterly basis and regular inspection of mines under the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 and Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation)Act, 1986.