By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 18, 2015 :

The Odisha government on Saturday will issue notification for reopening of 26 closed mines.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the recommendations of the inter-departmental committee on mining that met under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner UN Behera on April 4.

Officials said, lease deeds of captive mines will be renewed for 15 years and that of non-captive mines for five years as per provisions of the amended Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act [MMDR].

“The Chief Minister has given his approval to the recommendations of the inter-departmental committee. Under the provisions of the new MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 captive mines will get renewal for 15 years and non-captive mines will get renewal for five years,” state steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick, told reporters.

” Lease holders can reopen mines after furnishing requisite documents and registration,” he added.

The inter-departmental committee on April 4 had recommended to the state government the reopening of 26 closed mines in the state under the provisions of the new MMDR Amendment Act, 2015.

The government’s decision to reopen 26 closed mines comes as a huge relief for the mining industry, which has been facing crunch time for the last three years.