East Singhbhum, Jharkhand: Production and mining development activities at Hindustan Copper Limited’s (HCL) Kendadih Mines had stopped after the lease expired on 31st July, 2023. However, in September, following the initiative of Education Minister Ramdas Soren, Chief Minister Hemant Soren brought a proposal to the Cabinet, securing a 20-year lease for both Kendadih and Rakha mines for HCL. Despite this, mining operations, including ore extraction and transportation, remained suspended due to the lack of full environmental clearance for the entire lease area.
Now, progress seems imminent as efforts are underway to resolve the environmental clearance issue. The total lease area for Kendadih Mines is 1139.60 hectares, of which 413.47 hectares is forest land. The local administration has taken steps to facilitate the required forest land diversion.
Gram Sabha is being called to discuss the forest land diversion
To move forward, the Gram Sabha of the affected areas are being called to discuss the forest land diversion for the project. The Deputy Commissioner of the district has ordered to organize of Gram Sabha in the affected villages, which will be held under the Forest Rights Act (2006).
HCL management has written to the respective village heads (Gram Pradhans) asking them to finalize the dates for these meetings. Ten villages are directly impacted by Kendadih Mines, which include areas from the Terenga Panchayat (Chakulia, Chapri, Terenga, Kumurmudi, Kendadiha), Forest Block Panchayat (Patkita, Somaydiha, Murgaghtu-Kulamara), and Benashol Panchayat (Benashol, Sohda).
Govt. officials will attend the Gram Sabha
Officials from the district administration, forest department, and HCL will attend the Gram Sabha meetings. Once the Forest Rights Committee of each village approves the forest land diversion, the Sub-Divisional Forest Rights Committee and the District Forest Officer’s Committee will also provide their approval. After these clearances, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will grant the final environmental approval for the entire lease area of 1139.60 hectares.
Only after receiving this environmental clearance will production, mining development, and ore transportation operations resume. HCL is hopeful that the dates for the Gram Sabha will be finalized soon, allowing the mining activities to restart in the near future.
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