Nalco resumes bauxite mining with temporary work permit

Bhubaneswar: Aluminium major Nalco has resumed mining activities at Panchpatmali bauxite mine in Odisha's Koraput district after obtaining temporary work permit.

The mining operation, which was halted since November 17 following the expiry of Nalco's 30-year mining lease over the Panchpatmali reserve, resumed on Monday, company sources said today.

The company has received the temporary permit (TWP) from Union Ministry of Environment & Forests for one year. However, we will be pursuing for long-term renewal of mining lease vigorously, so that the same is received well before the TWP expires," Nalco chairman-cum-managing director Ansuman Das said.

Though the company was unable to excavate bauxite from the captive mine, there was no shut down of its refinery and smelter during the period. Both the units were running using the buffer stock.

During the month-long suspension of mining, Nalco undertook long-pending maintenance work, including replacement of the ropes of the 14.6 km long conveyor belt, which otherwise would have taken planned shut down for 17 days, the sources said.

Odisha director of mines Deepak Mohanty confirming the resumption of bauxite mining at Panchpatmali by Nalco said the government has been informed by the ministry about the issuance of the TWP.