New legislation for mining soon: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, July 13 (UNI) Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem today told the state Assembly that the government was seriously considering to bring in a new comprehensive legislation to exploit the mineral deposits in the state.

Responding to questions of Mr K Ajith (CPI) and others, he said as the Mining Department had found large deposit of mineral in various parts of the state, the government was planning to exploit the mineral wealth without affecting the environment.

The Mining and Geology Department had found gold deposit at Meppady, Thariyodu and Chundel in Wayanad district and Marutha, Nilambur, Punnapuzha and Chaliyar in Malappuram district, the Industries Minister said.

However, the government could not progress as it required clearance from the Union Forest and Environment Ministry for mining in these areas as it had been declared as the reserve forest.

Though the Centre had denied permission for mining in the areas on the basis of a report by the Forest Department that the said areas were elephant passage, he said the government would continue to pressurise the Centre to get permission. The mining would be done with the cooperation of private and public sectors, he said.

UNI