Bangalore : The Central Empowerment Committee of the Supreme Court has permitted eight mining companies of “A”  grade to undertake mining in Bellary and Chitradurga districts.The companies are expected to begin operations by this month end. This is expected to  solve some problems of the steel industries of the state which are suffering for want of raw materials.

This information  was provided nu HR Srinivas, Director of the Department of Mines at an International seminar on Steel and Mining in Karnataka, organized by  the Karnataka  Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries. He  said Karnataka had over 15  ‘A’ grade mining companies sand the rest would be granted permit in couple of month’s time.

The eight companies which have been granted permit are RBSSN Ferrose Industries (Hospete). B Kumar Gowda and Sons (Bellary),Vesco (Sandoor., Mineral Enterprises Ltd.(Chitradurga) , Nadeem Minerals (Sandur), MML Timmappagudi Mines (Sandoor),Zenith Mining  (Bellary) and Seas Goa Mines (Chitradurga).

To another question, he said  World Heritage Tag to the Western Ghats will go a long way in conserving the place rich in flora and fauna.