By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Patnaik Minerals Pvt Ltd running Mahulsukha Iron Ore and Manganese Mines while Kashvi Group of Companies running Kalimati Siljora manganese blocks , Agrasen Sponge Industries Pvt Ltd running Katasahi manganese block, PM Granite Exports Pvt Ltd running Kanther-Koira Manganese Block, Yazdani Steel running Kalmong iron ore and manganese mine.
It may be noted here that the Ministry of Mines had highlighted the under-reporting of grades of iron ore vide a letter dated August 31, 2022 and under-reporting of grades of chromite ore and manganese ore vide letter dated November 11, 2022.
After targeting Odisha Government for showing favour to several private mines firm over alleged manipulation of iron ore gradation, BJP Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha MP and National Spokesperson, Aparajita Sarangi on Monday again alleged about massive Manganese mining irregularities in Odisha.
Citing Ministry of Mines’ letter dated April 6, 2023, Sarangi, shows irregularities done by private mines firms like Patnaik Minerals Pvt Ltd, Kashvi Group of Companies, Agrasen Sponge Industries Pvt Ltd, PM Granite Exports Pvt Ltd and Yazdani Steel in their respective manganese and well as composite blocks.
“The Centre has written to Odisha Government thrice on this alleged irregularities in Manganese mining management. However, the state government is yet to bring an SOP for mines. Last time, the state government had issued a demand notice after iron ore mining scam came to fore. Similarly, chromite and manganese are also being sold through unethical way, the BJP leader said.
MP said that the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) decides the average sale price for Manganese mines. Manganese ore containing less than 25 percent manganese metal is called low grade. If kept less than 25 percent, the price will be Rs 2896 per tonne. But, the high grade quality is being converted into low quality by showing average sale price for which huge loss being incurred to the state exchequer.
Earlier, the IBM had informed the Ministry of Mines that some mining lease holders of Manganese ore in Odisha were dispatching Manganese ore allegedly as low grade from their mines located in Odisha to the traders operating from West Bengal who sell it as high-grade ore without any processing.
