Mining scam: Irregularities found in export of iron ore

Bellary, Feb 10: The CBI today found certain irregularities in the export of iron ore in mining sites owned by Karnataka ministers Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy on the second day of its inspection.

A 15-member CBI team headed by SP H Venkatesh inspected six mining trenches in Siddapura and Malpanagudi, located on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh borders and examined transit permits and other documents, official sources said.

An official, speaking on the conditions of anonymity, said irregularities have been noticed in export of iron ore.

The team disputed the claims of Anantpur Mining Corporation, owned by Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and his family members, that the company had extracted ferrous content with 63 to 65 grade.

However, National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) geologist Abhijeet Mukherjee said the soil in the areas leased to AMC did not possess more than 35 percent of ferrous content, they said.

The team opined that at least 20 lakh tons of iron ore had been exported from other mines using AMC transit permits, they said.

AMC staff were questioned on how it was possible for them to extract such huge quantities of iron ore from 100 metre deep trenches.

Samples of the iron ore have been collected and sent to a mineral laboratory for determining the grade of ore, they said.

Officials from Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and Forest have also been assisting the investigations by CBI, which would continue tomorrow also.

Yesterday, CBI officials visited six mining areas including five owned by Reddy brothers.

PTI