Thursday, 9 May 2013
Khandeparkar Panel to Investigate More into Illegal Mining in Goa
Helping the government arrest illegalities and prepare a roadmap for future of mining industry in the state is the Goa government-appointed Justice R M S Khandeparkar committee on illegal mining. He has decided to probe further the illicit tapping of iron ore in Goa.
“The terms of reference of the Committee are very clear. They are not just restricted to findings of Justice M B Shah Committee….It also includes the assistance to the government to decide on future of proper mining in the state,” Khandeparkar said.
The Committee will not only go through the findings of Shah Commission, but will also probe several aspects which were left untouched by them he said.
“The Shah Commission has not been able to do many things because of absence of material on record,” the former High Court judge said.
“Whatever they have left out would also be investigated,” he said.
The state government had informed Khandeparkar Committee to investigate more into the findings of Justice M B Shah Commission. This has pegged illegal mining in the state to Rs 35,000 crore.
The claim of illegality was refused by the mine owners. These mine owners had stated that they were not given hearing as a part of natural justice.
Khandeparkar said that he has already approved the first draft of the notice which would be issued for the public asking them to come forward with any information regarding illegal mining in Goa.
He said that everyone would be heard during the course of the investigation by the Committee.
“Whoever wants to be heard would be heard,” he said responding to a question whether mine owners would be called for hearing.
Khandeparkar said the first meeting of the Committee is yet to be held as they are waiting for the infrastructure to be put in place.
“The Committee will decide how to go ahead with the investigations,” he said, adding that there is no deadline set for submitting the final report to the government.
The former High Court Judge, however, said that the committee will continue with its investigation but will wait for the final judgement from SC on the mining matter.
“For forming any final conclusion we should have proper respect for the judiciary (SC),” he said.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Making Progress with Biodiversity for Mining Rehabilitation
The pioneers in progressive mine rehabilitation is one of the greatest assets in departmentalizing mining stereotypes. Environmentally friendly procedures and more and more miscellaneous ecosystems are becoming the standard as companies regard local ecosystem rehabilitation as a part of the on-going mining process.
To better understand these progressive rehab techniques, here are some words from Idemitsu Australia Resources Corporate Sustainability and Environment Manager Dr. Jan Green and Parsons Brinckerhoff Team Manager, Alex Cockerill.
“There’s an increasing focus on establishing complex and diverse natural ecosystems as part of mine rehabilitation,” she says. “With progressive rehab, it takes a much shorter time after the mine closes before the original flora and fauna can take over naturally.”
Her existing project is a 6- to 7-year-old mine that will sooner or later go back to a box gum woodland with white box gum trees. She explains that one of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the mining as it happens.
A strict schedule of clearing between summer and autumn allows species, for example, to nest in the winter and raise young in the spring. Cockerill says the team salvages hollow logs and timber for the provision of supplementary fauna habitats within the rehabilitation, and collects the seeds of local species of plant from the adjoining forest for propagation in a nursery.
By means of local species, it provides them a better chance of growing for the reason that the topsoil is recreated with greater accurateness. Sequentially, local fauna, from invertebrates to birds and mammals, are attracted to familiar landscapes.
“With the progressive establishment of increasingly complex vegetation structure and diversity these ecosystems encourage more local species back onto the mine site,” Cockerill explains.
“It’s then supported by biodiversity monitoring to target measurable performance criteria throughout the life of the mine and rehab,” Dr. Green says.
Dr. Green believes progressive rehab should be the norm and there’s good reason for that.
“We are mining in a state forest and to rehabilitate progressively is part of the approval conditions,” she admits, “But progressive rehab is better in terms of the environment and community acceptance.”
Deserted mines and plateaued soil heaps are not natural and can take expanded time to renew because of erosion. But gradually rehabilitated mines have extra defiance to erosion. This is because spoil piles are benched with draining slopes and layered with mulch.
“Importantly, progressive rehabilitation limits the time the ecologically valuable topsoils are stockpiled”, Cockerill says. “Reusing these topsoils progressively will maximise the survival of soil biota and the potential natural regeneration from the forests, soil and seed bank.”
But the biggest challenge may be communication. It is difficult to fight misinformation, especially when it comes to mining and the environment explains Dr. Green. “The most important thing you can do is to engage with the local community, the regulators and interested groups to design and deliver a landscape that everyone has had the opportunity to discuss,” she says.
Monday, 22 April 2013
Mining and the Environment
http://blackhawk-mining.com/2013/04/23/mining-and-the-environment/
Even though we always say there could be such a thing as responsible mining, sadly, mining can often have distressing effects on the environment. Mining necessitates the use of many seriously harmful chemicals such as, Mercury, Cyanide, Sulfuric acid, Arsenic, and Methyl mercury. These can have acutely dangerous effects on water.
Because these chemicals are used the whole time of mining process, consequently these chemicals will seep into the ground. Because of the chemicals seeping underground the groundwater becomes polluted and even if pipes were used to dispose of the chemicals, the chemicals often leak from the pipes.
What is causing it to become more of a burden is that these chemicals are often disposed in close by bodies of water, thus causing water pollution. Moreover, when this happens worse part is, when the chemicals are released into the bodies of water, it frequently results in the loss of aquatic plants and animals. When run-off of the chemicals takes place above ground, it is harmful for nearby vegetation and plants.
Gold mining has equally devastating effects on water. The process that is required in mining gold has negative effects on water. River dredging is just one way which gold is mine.
River dredging is a method in which gravel and mud is suctioned from a specific part of the river. The gold will then be sifted out of this gravel and mud then the gravel and mud will be returned to the river.
Most of the time, the gravel and mud is returned to an area of the river that they did not originally come from. Making the natural flow of the river disturbed resulting to deaths of multiple fishes and plants in the river.
Water and land has no much of a difference when it comes to the consequences mining gives. The process of mining alone entails a large area of land is cleared. Mining means digging through the earth to find the minerals or substances for which they are seeking. Worst, mining often requires large-scale deforestation.
In addition, deforestation means loss of numerous types of animals, and wildlife. Besides deforestation, large areas of nearby vegetation must be cut and trimmed to clear a road for the mining workers to even reach the area that they are mining.
Recurrent deforestation of neighborhood areas can put the whole species at threat for becoming scarce, or shoddier, extinct. When vegetation is not detached through the procedure of mining, it dies because of land pollution from the chemicals. What’s more, when the chemicals soak into the soil, it makes the soil inappropriate for new plants to grow in it. No organisms can live in the polluted soil; it will die due to the pollution.
The process of mining results in a type of liquid waste in some occasions. Instead of being properly disposed, this liquid waste is sometimes disposed in the mining pits.
This frequently takes place in countries in which the mining policies are not as firm as other countries. When the pit becomes overflowing with this liquid waste, it turns into a sluggish and hazardous pool of liquid. It is hazardous because diseases normally develop in it.
Even though we always say there could be such a thing as responsible mining, sadly, mining can often have distressing effects on the environment. Mining necessitates the use of many seriously harmful chemicals such as, Mercury, Cyanide, Sulfuric acid, Arsenic, and Methyl mercury. These can have acutely dangerous effects on water.
Because these chemicals are used the whole time of mining process, consequently these chemicals will seep into the ground. Because of the chemicals seeping underground the groundwater becomes polluted and even if pipes were used to dispose of the chemicals, the chemicals often leak from the pipes.
What is causing it to become more of a burden is that these chemicals are often disposed in close by bodies of water, thus causing water pollution. Moreover, when this happens worse part is, when the chemicals are released into the bodies of water, it frequently results in the loss of aquatic plants and animals. When run-off of the chemicals takes place above ground, it is harmful for nearby vegetation and plants.
Gold mining has equally devastating effects on water. The process that is required in mining gold has negative effects on water. River dredging is just one way which gold is mine.
River dredging is a method in which gravel and mud is suctioned from a specific part of the river. The gold will then be sifted out of this gravel and mud then the gravel and mud will be returned to the river.
Most of the time, the gravel and mud is returned to an area of the river that they did not originally come from. Making the natural flow of the river disturbed resulting to deaths of multiple fishes and plants in the river.
Water and land has no much of a difference when it comes to the consequences mining gives. The process of mining alone entails a large area of land is cleared. Mining means digging through the earth to find the minerals or substances for which they are seeking. Worst, mining often requires large-scale deforestation.
In addition, deforestation means loss of numerous types of animals, and wildlife. Besides deforestation, large areas of nearby vegetation must be cut and trimmed to clear a road for the mining workers to even reach the area that they are mining.
Recurrent deforestation of neighborhood areas can put the whole species at threat for becoming scarce, or shoddier, extinct. When vegetation is not detached through the procedure of mining, it dies because of land pollution from the chemicals. What’s more, when the chemicals soak into the soil, it makes the soil inappropriate for new plants to grow in it. No organisms can live in the polluted soil; it will die due to the pollution.
The process of mining results in a type of liquid waste in some occasions. Instead of being properly disposed, this liquid waste is sometimes disposed in the mining pits.
This frequently takes place in countries in which the mining policies are not as firm as other countries. When the pit becomes overflowing with this liquid waste, it turns into a sluggish and hazardous pool of liquid. It is hazardous because diseases normally develop in it.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Queensland Miners Gives their Word for More Local Content
http://promotion.blackhawk-mining.com/2013/03/22/guatemalas-highest-court-denies-justice-to-indigenous-people-affected-by-mining/
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) on Thursday listed a local content code of practice that would observe the state’s resources industry strengthen its binds with local contractors.
It was in the state and nation’s long-term interest to support flexible and outcomes-based measures to ‘join the dots’ between the resources sector and local suppliers, QRC CEO Michael Roche said.
“The minerals and energy sector is recognised as underpinning the Queensland economy by providing more than 70 000 direct jobs, and through A$28-billion in local purchases, more than 400 000 indirect jobs.
“However, we’re not resting on our laurels. This code is the right vehicle to pursue the twin goals of facilitating a high level of Queensland content in Queensland resource projects, while maintaining and enhancing the sector’s competitiveness in increasingly tough global markets,” Roche said.
The code presented enhanced opportunities for local industry participation in major projects, allowing resource companies to tailor their approach, based on their individual circumstances, he added.
“It replaces and improves upon the ‘tick-a-box’ regulatory approach embraced by both the previous state government and current federal government using a system built on giving local businesses a ‘full, fair and reasonable’ opportunity to be a supplier to resource projects in Queensland.”
Roche further added that the code adopted a strong “shared responsibility” framework, with the QRC, government, minerals and energy producers and local suppliers working together to deliver on the principle of ‘full, fair and reasonable’ opportunity.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said on Thursday that a new code of practice will see more major resources projects engage local industry suppliers.
He noted that the code would be owned, led and managed by industry and focused on ‘full, fair and reasonable’ access for local industry in all aspects of their projects.
“The benefits to Queensland’s economy of resources and energy investments are potentially huge – the pipeline of projects for environmental approval alone is worth a forecast A$71-billion, plus A$56-billion in liquefied natural gas investment already approved. But the maximum benefit depends on Queensland companies and workforce getting access to major project opportunities.”
Resources projects needed practical strategies to engage local industry if they were going to secure enduring community support, deliver projects effectively and maximise benefits for Queenslanders, the Minister noted.
The code would request proponents to take on practical local content tactics to make certain there was early engagement with Queensland industry, all-encompassing procurement practices and presented for guidance and support for proponents to carry out successful strategies.
It established an implementation framework, and a group of industry stakeholders including suppliers to monitor and refine delivery. Importantly, the code also provides a means to assess progress and report outcomes publicly, Seeney aid.
The project proponents would benefit directly from taking ownership of local content principles he added.
“Wherever local companies rise to the challenge, there’s an opportunity for long-term local supply solutions to their needs,” he said.
He renowned that the state government would do its part in promoting the adoption of the code, in supplier education and helping to position local industry to tender successfully.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) on Thursday listed a local content code of practice that would observe the state’s resources industry strengthen its binds with local contractors.
It was in the state and nation’s long-term interest to support flexible and outcomes-based measures to ‘join the dots’ between the resources sector and local suppliers, QRC CEO Michael Roche said.
“The minerals and energy sector is recognised as underpinning the Queensland economy by providing more than 70 000 direct jobs, and through A$28-billion in local purchases, more than 400 000 indirect jobs.
“However, we’re not resting on our laurels. This code is the right vehicle to pursue the twin goals of facilitating a high level of Queensland content in Queensland resource projects, while maintaining and enhancing the sector’s competitiveness in increasingly tough global markets,” Roche said.
The code presented enhanced opportunities for local industry participation in major projects, allowing resource companies to tailor their approach, based on their individual circumstances, he added.
“It replaces and improves upon the ‘tick-a-box’ regulatory approach embraced by both the previous state government and current federal government using a system built on giving local businesses a ‘full, fair and reasonable’ opportunity to be a supplier to resource projects in Queensland.”
Roche further added that the code adopted a strong “shared responsibility” framework, with the QRC, government, minerals and energy producers and local suppliers working together to deliver on the principle of ‘full, fair and reasonable’ opportunity.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said on Thursday that a new code of practice will see more major resources projects engage local industry suppliers.
He noted that the code would be owned, led and managed by industry and focused on ‘full, fair and reasonable’ access for local industry in all aspects of their projects.
“The benefits to Queensland’s economy of resources and energy investments are potentially huge – the pipeline of projects for environmental approval alone is worth a forecast A$71-billion, plus A$56-billion in liquefied natural gas investment already approved. But the maximum benefit depends on Queensland companies and workforce getting access to major project opportunities.”
Resources projects needed practical strategies to engage local industry if they were going to secure enduring community support, deliver projects effectively and maximise benefits for Queenslanders, the Minister noted.
The code would request proponents to take on practical local content tactics to make certain there was early engagement with Queensland industry, all-encompassing procurement practices and presented for guidance and support for proponents to carry out successful strategies.
It established an implementation framework, and a group of industry stakeholders including suppliers to monitor and refine delivery. Importantly, the code also provides a means to assess progress and report outcomes publicly, Seeney aid.
The project proponents would benefit directly from taking ownership of local content principles he added.
“Wherever local companies rise to the challenge, there’s an opportunity for long-term local supply solutions to their needs,” he said.
He renowned that the state government would do its part in promoting the adoption of the code, in supplier education and helping to position local industry to tender successfully.
Guatemala’s Highest Court Denies Justice to Indigenous People Affected by Mining
http://blackhawk-mining.com/2013/03/22/guatemalas-highest-court-denies-justice-to-indigenous-people-affected-by-mining/
The country’s highest court upheld the 1997 Mining Law against a constitutional challenge brought by the Western Peoples’ Council (CPO) for lack of prior consultation with indigenous peoples, reported by Guatemalan national press last March 1 of this year. Finally after the complaint was filed, the ruling comes out and it is against Guatemala’s international human rights obligations. It also represents a hold up from a 2011 Constitutional Court decision that ruled in favor of the right of Guatemala’s indigenous majority to consultation on legislative proposals that could have an effect on their lands and natural resources.
Frequent conflicts had been repeatedly ongoing due to Guatemala’s mining sector. These conflicts caused an increase in threats, criminalization and violence in the past recent months. Despite having over 400 mining licenses issued and more than 700 pending, the tension was caused by lack of respect for free, prior and informed consent.
Guatemala is obliged to respect the right of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent for any project that could adversely impact them, and to consult with them before passing laws or administrative initiatives that would affect their rights this is all under Guatemala’s Peace Accords, the American Convention on Human Rights, and as a signatory to the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, as well as having endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
“This ruling is a contravention of Guatemala’s international obligations to respect indigenous rights and an unwelcome reminder of how the Guatemalan legal system continues to deny justice to the country’s Mayan population,” said Kris Genovese, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law.
More than a year ago back in December 2011 the Constitutional Court overturned the government’s attempt to regulate prior consultation on the basis that it had not been consulted with indigenous peoples first. This is supposed to be the first step toward respect for such rights but then again this month’s ruling is a disappointing turn around.
“Not only is this ruling a negation of justice, it is a negation of the existence of indigenous peoples’ right to participate as political actors,” said Francisco Mateo Rocael, representative of the Western Peoples’ Council. “We knew the odds of winning were against us in this case. Despite our strong legal arguments, economic and political powers continue to influence how justice is carried out in Guatemala.”
A group of Canadian parliamentarians and one Canadian senator traveled on a trip sponsored by the company to Guatemala together with the Chairman of the Board of Goldcorp in August 2012 just after a month subsequent to a hearing on the constitutional challenge contra mining law. Goldcorp is one of the biggest gold manufacturers in the world and has one of its most cost-effective mines in Guatemala’s northwestern highlands. The Canadian group congregated with the Guatemalan legislative commission charged with mining legislation in the country during the three-day junket.
“We don’t know what took place behind closed doors, but the timing was crucial given that the Constitutional Court decision was due,” says Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator at Mining Watch Canada. “While it is Guatemala’s obligation to respect the rights of indigenous peoples living there, we also need to ask what role Canadian interests might have played behind the scenes that run contrary to Canada’s responsibilities to promote respect for indigenous rights as well.”
The Western People’s Council, or CPO, will now forward this case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The CPO is a coalition of indigenous authorities and institutions from seven departments of Guatemala. They have already well thought-out nearly 60 community referenda. This referendum will give indigenous communities the right to vote and decide whether or not to accept development projects on their lands.
The country’s highest court upheld the 1997 Mining Law against a constitutional challenge brought by the Western Peoples’ Council (CPO) for lack of prior consultation with indigenous peoples, reported by Guatemalan national press last March 1 of this year. Finally after the complaint was filed, the ruling comes out and it is against Guatemala’s international human rights obligations. It also represents a hold up from a 2011 Constitutional Court decision that ruled in favor of the right of Guatemala’s indigenous majority to consultation on legislative proposals that could have an effect on their lands and natural resources.
Frequent conflicts had been repeatedly ongoing due to Guatemala’s mining sector. These conflicts caused an increase in threats, criminalization and violence in the past recent months. Despite having over 400 mining licenses issued and more than 700 pending, the tension was caused by lack of respect for free, prior and informed consent.
Guatemala is obliged to respect the right of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent for any project that could adversely impact them, and to consult with them before passing laws or administrative initiatives that would affect their rights this is all under Guatemala’s Peace Accords, the American Convention on Human Rights, and as a signatory to the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 on the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, as well as having endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
“This ruling is a contravention of Guatemala’s international obligations to respect indigenous rights and an unwelcome reminder of how the Guatemalan legal system continues to deny justice to the country’s Mayan population,” said Kris Genovese, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law.
More than a year ago back in December 2011 the Constitutional Court overturned the government’s attempt to regulate prior consultation on the basis that it had not been consulted with indigenous peoples first. This is supposed to be the first step toward respect for such rights but then again this month’s ruling is a disappointing turn around.
“Not only is this ruling a negation of justice, it is a negation of the existence of indigenous peoples’ right to participate as political actors,” said Francisco Mateo Rocael, representative of the Western Peoples’ Council. “We knew the odds of winning were against us in this case. Despite our strong legal arguments, economic and political powers continue to influence how justice is carried out in Guatemala.”
A group of Canadian parliamentarians and one Canadian senator traveled on a trip sponsored by the company to Guatemala together with the Chairman of the Board of Goldcorp in August 2012 just after a month subsequent to a hearing on the constitutional challenge contra mining law. Goldcorp is one of the biggest gold manufacturers in the world and has one of its most cost-effective mines in Guatemala’s northwestern highlands. The Canadian group congregated with the Guatemalan legislative commission charged with mining legislation in the country during the three-day junket.
“We don’t know what took place behind closed doors, but the timing was crucial given that the Constitutional Court decision was due,” says Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator at Mining Watch Canada. “While it is Guatemala’s obligation to respect the rights of indigenous peoples living there, we also need to ask what role Canadian interests might have played behind the scenes that run contrary to Canada’s responsibilities to promote respect for indigenous rights as well.”
The Western People’s Council, or CPO, will now forward this case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The CPO is a coalition of indigenous authorities and institutions from seven departments of Guatemala. They have already well thought-out nearly 60 community referenda. This referendum will give indigenous communities the right to vote and decide whether or not to accept development projects on their lands.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Black Hawk Mines Reviews - Forest officials’ negligence led to mining scam
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Black-Hawk-Mines-Online-Games-4426100.S.182254912?qid=385e4bb2-ef58-4894-b08c-9c0144cc29ff&goback=.gna_4426100
Forest planning and management in the whole of India is so scientific and systematic that no irregularities, pilferage or smuggling of any kind should be possible. This is a British pattern of administration of the forest resources introduced in India by Dr Bandish.
The forest of a State is divided into several circles and each circle into several divisions according to management facilities.
For systematic administrative management, a division is further divided into several ranges, a range into sections and a section into beats.
Beat is the smallest unit. When a divisional forest officer is the sole authority of a divisional forest administration, an assistant conservator assists him for the same. When a range officer is in charge of a range, a forester is in charge of a forest section. A forest guard is in charge of a beat and runs the beat administration.
A regional chief conservator of forests remains in charge of a circle as a supervising authority over four to five divisions. All forest cases are cognizable offences. In face of such an administrative setup, one wonders how the illegal mining of minerals went unabated for several years!
Further, for the systematic management of the forest wealth in Odisha, the forests are divided into blocks, blocks in to compartments and sub- compartments.
Every forest block is surveyed and demarcated as well as mapped for records.
Similarly, the boundaries of each block are well laid up with pillars. Every pillar is verified in respect of its position in the concerned block map and is repaired if needed. The boundary lines are cleared during winter before commencement of fire season. The boundaries of every forest block act as fire protection line.
The work is done as preventive corse of action to protect forest resources from fire damage. Again, the compartment boundary lines are renewed with white paint. Trees standing on the compartment boundary lines are marked with double paint marks at breast height which can be visible from a distance. In certain cases, watchtowers are made to watch the incidence of fire and poaching.
People are engaged, especially during summer season, to watch the incidence of fire. The compartment history and fire control maps are regularly maintained for each forest block.
The blocks are vividly inspected and watched by the concerned range officers. During rainy season, cultural operations like surveying and regeneration of minor forest produces are undertaken. Besides, plans are devised to prevent theft of timber and poaching of wild animals. So, round the year, cultural activities are carried out to meet the provision of departmental code and working plan code.
Every DFO is supported to inspect the forest blocks within a division and he is supposed to reflect the current positions in his fortnightly tour diaries and send the same to the conservator of forests.
This is the usual practice to carry on the management of a forest. The whole forest management is governed by three instruments, including working plan code, working plan and departmental code.
The indiscriminate smuggling of iron ore and manganese from State forest shows either the forest officials grossly neglected their duties and allowed the wrongdoings to continue or connived with the illegal miners.
The writer after returning from the forest college was first posted at Keonjhar forest division and was given the task of carrying out field tasks in connection with revision of working plans, which was written by a British officer.
he plan period was ten years but the works were getting delayed. So, a revision of the plan was necessitated which was taken up by Pravakar Pani and subsequently was completed by Udayanath Sarangi. The writer was posted as a range officer. All the major blocks like Reban, Kalapat, Baula, Atei, Palashpal and Telkoi were in my charge.
They were to be surveyed and re-demarcated and boundaries pillars were to be posted. Later, the writer was posted as range officer at Champa range for some time and all the mining leasehold areas were under his control.
All the forest blocks like Karo, Sidhematha, Thakurani, Joda, Nalda, Barbil and Kiribar were personally surveyed by the writer. Scientific field operations were done before a final shape was given to Sarangi’s plans in the Keonjhar division.
The writer personally visited the boundaries of each leasehold area and submitted the verification certification to the authorities in every fortnight.
Further, the writer served in different capacities in Karanjia and Baripada divisions for long years, where Gorumaisani and Badampahad mining leases had gone controversial. The writer is also acquainted with Sukinda mines because Sukinda forests were under the forest administration of Keonjar division.
The moot point is if the forest areas had been regularly verified and records maintained, the question of mining beyond leasehold areas would not arise.
But, the regular monitoring and surveillance were not done violating the working plan code. If the officials had stuck to the working plans, departmental code and management map in the field practices, no illegal mining would have taken place.
Given this, the writer sincerely believes Justice MB Saha Commission is being kept in dark of the violation of forest management norms and practices which led to plunder of forest resources and minerals. The mining scam is therefore a result of utter negligence of duty of the forest, environment, revenue, police, mines and transport department officials. Coupled with this, it involves nexus between the dishonest officials and mine owners to make easy money.
Forest planning and management in the whole of India is so scientific and systematic that no irregularities, pilferage or smuggling of any kind should be possible. This is a British pattern of administration of the forest resources introduced in India by Dr Bandish.
The forest of a State is divided into several circles and each circle into several divisions according to management facilities.
For systematic administrative management, a division is further divided into several ranges, a range into sections and a section into beats.
Beat is the smallest unit. When a divisional forest officer is the sole authority of a divisional forest administration, an assistant conservator assists him for the same. When a range officer is in charge of a range, a forester is in charge of a forest section. A forest guard is in charge of a beat and runs the beat administration.
A regional chief conservator of forests remains in charge of a circle as a supervising authority over four to five divisions. All forest cases are cognizable offences. In face of such an administrative setup, one wonders how the illegal mining of minerals went unabated for several years!
Further, for the systematic management of the forest wealth in Odisha, the forests are divided into blocks, blocks in to compartments and sub- compartments.
Every forest block is surveyed and demarcated as well as mapped for records.
Similarly, the boundaries of each block are well laid up with pillars. Every pillar is verified in respect of its position in the concerned block map and is repaired if needed. The boundary lines are cleared during winter before commencement of fire season. The boundaries of every forest block act as fire protection line.
The work is done as preventive corse of action to protect forest resources from fire damage. Again, the compartment boundary lines are renewed with white paint. Trees standing on the compartment boundary lines are marked with double paint marks at breast height which can be visible from a distance. In certain cases, watchtowers are made to watch the incidence of fire and poaching.
People are engaged, especially during summer season, to watch the incidence of fire. The compartment history and fire control maps are regularly maintained for each forest block.
The blocks are vividly inspected and watched by the concerned range officers. During rainy season, cultural operations like surveying and regeneration of minor forest produces are undertaken. Besides, plans are devised to prevent theft of timber and poaching of wild animals. So, round the year, cultural activities are carried out to meet the provision of departmental code and working plan code.
Every DFO is supported to inspect the forest blocks within a division and he is supposed to reflect the current positions in his fortnightly tour diaries and send the same to the conservator of forests.
This is the usual practice to carry on the management of a forest. The whole forest management is governed by three instruments, including working plan code, working plan and departmental code.
The indiscriminate smuggling of iron ore and manganese from State forest shows either the forest officials grossly neglected their duties and allowed the wrongdoings to continue or connived with the illegal miners.
The writer after returning from the forest college was first posted at Keonjhar forest division and was given the task of carrying out field tasks in connection with revision of working plans, which was written by a British officer.
he plan period was ten years but the works were getting delayed. So, a revision of the plan was necessitated which was taken up by Pravakar Pani and subsequently was completed by Udayanath Sarangi. The writer was posted as a range officer. All the major blocks like Reban, Kalapat, Baula, Atei, Palashpal and Telkoi were in my charge.
They were to be surveyed and re-demarcated and boundaries pillars were to be posted. Later, the writer was posted as range officer at Champa range for some time and all the mining leasehold areas were under his control.
All the forest blocks like Karo, Sidhematha, Thakurani, Joda, Nalda, Barbil and Kiribar were personally surveyed by the writer. Scientific field operations were done before a final shape was given to Sarangi’s plans in the Keonjhar division.
The writer personally visited the boundaries of each leasehold area and submitted the verification certification to the authorities in every fortnight.
Further, the writer served in different capacities in Karanjia and Baripada divisions for long years, where Gorumaisani and Badampahad mining leases had gone controversial. The writer is also acquainted with Sukinda mines because Sukinda forests were under the forest administration of Keonjar division.
The moot point is if the forest areas had been regularly verified and records maintained, the question of mining beyond leasehold areas would not arise.
But, the regular monitoring and surveillance were not done violating the working plan code. If the officials had stuck to the working plans, departmental code and management map in the field practices, no illegal mining would have taken place.
Given this, the writer sincerely believes Justice MB Saha Commission is being kept in dark of the violation of forest management norms and practices which led to plunder of forest resources and minerals. The mining scam is therefore a result of utter negligence of duty of the forest, environment, revenue, police, mines and transport department officials. Coupled with this, it involves nexus between the dishonest officials and mine owners to make easy money.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Walker Considers to Revise Mining Bill if it means More Jobs in Wisconsin
http://promotion.blackhawk-mining.com/2013/01/07/walker-considers-to-revise-mining-bill-if-it-means-more-jobs-in-wisconsin/
He would be willing to consider tweaks to last year’s stalled mining bill, as long as the new measure results in actual mining jobs in Wisconsin, says Gov. Scott Walker last Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. Walker also added that the goal of a new bill should be to create jobs. Any changes unrelated to that end would be unproductive. He told reporters after addressing employees at Phoenix Products Company Inc., a Milwaukee Company that makes heavy-duty lights for mining equipment, “We’re going to look to make a series of reasonable changes and improvements if warranted as long as they ultimately lead to a mine in the state of Wisconsin.”
Walker was bordered by a number of Republican state lawmakers. Earlier in the day, Speaker-elect Robin Vos and Majority Leader Scott Suder, who were also flanked Walker, released a statement saying the first bill the will introduce this session will reform Wisconsin’s mining laws. Vos said, “I’m hopeful all the interested parties can come together to protect our environment and make mining reform happen.”
After moderate Republican Sen. Dale Schultz blocked a bill that had cleared the GOP- controlled Assembly, the Legislature couldn’t reach agreement on a mining proposal. Republicans worked last year to help Gogebic Taconite open a huge iron mine near Lake Superior. To make it easier to open an iron ore mine in Penokee Hills Ashland in northwestern Wisconsin, Gogebic Taconite of Hurley had been lobbying for the bill. According to Walker, he thought the Assembly bill would be a good starting point for creating a new bill.
The Republican governor said that the company was prepared to invest $1.5 billion and that the mine would create thousands of jobs. The mining would create about 700 jobs at the mine itself and an additional 2,100 in related jobs. But the company would need http://promotion.blackhawk-mining.com/ scam prevention assurances that regulations would remain consistent, he added that in return. This would create jobs but would also create disadvantages. And they must not forget, scam prevention.
One of the fears is the destruction of the environment. Environmentalists were alarmed that the mine would devastate one of the state’s most pristine regions near Lake Superior. Although they have called for strict guidelines that would ensure the quality of air, water and soil in the area, they could still use some alternative prevention. In relation with this, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to craft a new version of the bill that Schultz and Democratic opponents could support.
Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca said he wanted to make sure that any new mining bill has bipartisan support. People could start going back to work, but he said the bill needs to broad enough to ensure proper environmental protections as well. “We need to make sure the bill creates mining jobs and also protects our natural resources, as well as our tourism and agricultural economies that are so vital to Wisconsin,” he said in a statement. We just sure hope that they can also find ways of scam prevention and other ways on how to deal with the disadvantages of mining.
He would be willing to consider tweaks to last year’s stalled mining bill, as long as the new measure results in actual mining jobs in Wisconsin, says Gov. Scott Walker last Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. Walker also added that the goal of a new bill should be to create jobs. Any changes unrelated to that end would be unproductive. He told reporters after addressing employees at Phoenix Products Company Inc., a Milwaukee Company that makes heavy-duty lights for mining equipment, “We’re going to look to make a series of reasonable changes and improvements if warranted as long as they ultimately lead to a mine in the state of Wisconsin.”
Walker was bordered by a number of Republican state lawmakers. Earlier in the day, Speaker-elect Robin Vos and Majority Leader Scott Suder, who were also flanked Walker, released a statement saying the first bill the will introduce this session will reform Wisconsin’s mining laws. Vos said, “I’m hopeful all the interested parties can come together to protect our environment and make mining reform happen.”
After moderate Republican Sen. Dale Schultz blocked a bill that had cleared the GOP- controlled Assembly, the Legislature couldn’t reach agreement on a mining proposal. Republicans worked last year to help Gogebic Taconite open a huge iron mine near Lake Superior. To make it easier to open an iron ore mine in Penokee Hills Ashland in northwestern Wisconsin, Gogebic Taconite of Hurley had been lobbying for the bill. According to Walker, he thought the Assembly bill would be a good starting point for creating a new bill.
The Republican governor said that the company was prepared to invest $1.5 billion and that the mine would create thousands of jobs. The mining would create about 700 jobs at the mine itself and an additional 2,100 in related jobs. But the company would need http://promotion.blackhawk-mining.com/ scam prevention assurances that regulations would remain consistent, he added that in return. This would create jobs but would also create disadvantages. And they must not forget, scam prevention.
One of the fears is the destruction of the environment. Environmentalists were alarmed that the mine would devastate one of the state’s most pristine regions near Lake Superior. Although they have called for strict guidelines that would ensure the quality of air, water and soil in the area, they could still use some alternative prevention. In relation with this, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to craft a new version of the bill that Schultz and Democratic opponents could support.
Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca said he wanted to make sure that any new mining bill has bipartisan support. People could start going back to work, but he said the bill needs to broad enough to ensure proper environmental protections as well. “We need to make sure the bill creates mining jobs and also protects our natural resources, as well as our tourism and agricultural economies that are so vital to Wisconsin,” he said in a statement. We just sure hope that they can also find ways of scam prevention and other ways on how to deal with the disadvantages of mining.
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