Mining is not environment friendly: BS Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, Jul 10: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said, "from 2003 till now, without any account lakhs of tonnes of iron ore had been exported illegally from Karnataka and the only way to stop this illegal mining is by banning export of iron ore."

Addressing a conference BS Yeddyurappa said, "Iron ore is exported illegally not only from Karwar, Belekeri, and Mangalore ports, but also from neighbouring ports. At present nearly 1.05 crore tonnes of iron ore had been exported to foreign countries illegally," said Yeddyurappa.

"I have written a letter to the prime minister stating to hold a meeting of all the CM of mineral rich states to discuss about the illegal mining and this matter needs to be discussed in Loka Sabha also," he said.

"After the BJP's rule in Karnataka, based on Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde"s report, we have taken several measures to control illegal activity," he said.

"Because of mining, our tribal people are losing their life, resulting in pollution, various diseases and indirectly mining activities are helping the Maoists and terrorists. Mining is not environment-friendly," he added.

Karnataka is one of the mineral rich states in India with about 11 percent of the country's hematite iron ore reserves. It has over 9,000 million tonnes of iron ore resources concentrated in the Bellary-Hospet area, while the rest is found in the Chitradurga, Bagalkot and Tumkur districts.

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