A high-level committee of the Odisha government has cleared five of the 26 mines up for mining lease renewal. The 26 mines were closed following directives from the Supreme Court.
?The high-level committee has already recommended renewal of five of the 26 mines operating under the deemed extension clause in Odisha. The cases of remaining 21 mines are under active consideration of the committee,? said the Odisha chief secretary JK Mohapatra.
However, the five mines, whose lease would be renewed, have been asked to obtain full forest clearance, pay the penalty imposed for excess mining and meet the local requirements before they can resume operations.