GVPR iron ore mine in Odisha’s Koida raided over lapses

The GVPR iron ore mine (leaseholder GVPR Engineers Limited) in Koida locality of Sundargarh district is under scrutiny following allegations of illegal ore transportation worth crores of rupees to outside the State. A four-member team from the Steel & Mines Department, Odisha, carried out a raid on the Koida mine on Wednesday.

Also Read: Sundargarh ‘mining scam worth over Rs 37 crore’: SIT probe continues at 12 more locations

The raid was underway till the time when this report was filed.

According to sources, the company is allegedly involved in dispatching high-grade iron ore as lower-quality material, and the iron ore is being transported to other states, bypassing official procedures, thereby causing substantial revenue loss to Odisha.

The ‘illegal transportation’ reportedly began just three weeks ago. The Department officials claim that this unauthorised movement of iron ore has resulted in crores of potential State revenue being lost.

Investigations are going on to determine the scale of the alleged malpractice and identify the officials responsible, if any, for the illegal activity. Authorities have highlighted that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating mining regulations.

This development raises serious questions about oversight in the iron ore sector and the need for stringent monitoring to prevent further losses to the exchequer.

No comments were received from the GVPR company or the Department in this regard.

Earlier in June, in another incident, Odisha Vigilance Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted its probe into an alleged mining scam in Sundargarh district. Over a period of three days, the team uncovered significant illegal manganese and iron ore extraction. It is said that the estimated value of the minerals was over Rs 37 crore.