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Indian iron ore mining mess - MoEF charges Orissa government

Even as the Orissa government is making all out efforts to curb illegal mining activities, a case of illegal collection of iron ore in Keonjhar and subsequent transfer of the ore to Jharkhand has surfaced, pushing the government to the back foot.

The information pertaining to the illegal collection and transportation of ore under the Keonjhar forest division has been brought to the fore by the eastern regional office of Union ministry of environment & forests.

Mr AK Jena technical officer (forestry) of MoEF's eastern regional office said in a letter to Mr Aurobindo Behera principal secretary (forest & environment), Orissa government said “I am directed to inform that it has been brought to the notice of our office that iron ore is illegally collected from Block-A of Thakurani area, mining lease boundary area of Orissa Minerals Development Corporation adjoining Jharkhand and areas adjoining Roida mines under Keonjhar division and transported to Jharkhand through the porous border.”

Concerned over the illegal mining activity, the MoEF eastern regional office has asked the state forest & environment department to examine the matter and take appropriate action.