Mines & geology dept in Aravalli fines 54 quarries ₹63 lakh

Identifying serious irregularities in quarry leases for metal mining in Dhansura block of Aravalli District, the Mines & Geology Department has imposed fines worth more than ₹63 lakh on 54 quarries.

Inspectors found irregularities in 12 criteria, with each infraction at each site bearing a fine of ₹10,000. This was the first such inspection since 2014, when the lease was issued.

“There have been no inspections since 2014 Minerals worth billions have been stolen. Had inspections been conducted annually, as is the norm, these quarries would have been fined crores by now. It is clear that corruption has occurred. There is no other explanation,” a person close to the issue told Gujarat Samachar.

According to the department’s show-cause notice issued to mining firms, the fines are to be deposited online and the evidence must be disclosed to the office. Failure to comply would invite action under the Gujarat minor mineral concession rules, 2017. he errant firm’s online account will be closed and its lease would be cancelled. 

The 12 conditions under which violators are fined for illegal extraction are irregularities involving lease sign boards, boundaries, fencing, register, cover on transport vehicle, way bridge, mining plan, export according to mining plan, not employing a mining engineer and unscientific mining operations.