IT News
Imphal, Aug 30:
Joint Students Co Ordination Committee (JSCC) which comprises of AMSU MSF KSA SUK has expressed strong concern over the move for mining of minerals of Manipur without the consultation and consent of the indigenous people of Manipur.
A press statement issued by the Media Coordinator JSCC, N Chetan said that the student bodies are shocked to learn that several mining companies began involved for survey work and direct exploration processes in Manipur. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) estimates around 20 million metric tonnes of limestone deposits in Ukhrul district and at Tengnoupal and Chandel Districts it added.
Joint Students co Ordination Committee further stated that the Indian Bureau of Mines 2013 report indicated that Manipur has 6.66 MT of chromite deposits in ophiolite belt in Ukhrul, Kamjong Districts, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts. We express our concern that the Government of Manipur signed Seven MoUs for chromite mining with M/s Sarvesh Refractories Pvt. Ltd, Rourkela, M/s Rourkela Minerals Pvt. Ltd, Rourkela, M/s Kotak Resources, Mumbai, M/s Gulf Natural Resources, Gurgaon, M/s Visa Steel Ltd, Odisha, M/s Manipur Mines and Minerals Pvt. Ltd., M/s Balassore Alloys Ltd, Odisha etc in 2017 without the consent of Manipur peoples. The GOM also signed four MoUs for limestone exploration, mining and to establish cement plant with M/s Super Ores, Guwahati, M/s Gulf Natural Resources, Gurgaon, and M/s Ramung Enterprises, Imphal without the consultation and consent of the people of Manipur. The Gulf Natural Resources Private Limited, Gurgaon signed a deed of agreement for mining of chromite with the Village Authority of Kwatha Village on 5th October 2016. The Rourkela Minerals Company Private Limited (ROMCO) has signed an agreement with the Government of Manipur on 23 February 2019 for a mining lease for Twenty (20) years over an area of 85.0 hectares in Shingcha- Gamnom village in Ukhrul district. The Government approved mining lease of 85 hectares in 2007. The mining company, M/s Sarvesh Refractory Private Limited (SRL) has been contracted by GOM to mine Chromite from Lunghar and Sirohi Villages of Ukhrul District. The mining lease area is 132.781 hectares in Shirohi-Lunghar Village with targeted production capacity of 10531 tons per annum and is under process to seek environment clearance from the MOEFCC for mining of Chromium. The GOM has leased out the limestone quarry to M/S Super Ores and Mines Private Limited for 20 years. ISSUES OF CONCERN: Non recognition of Rights: Mining companies usually failed to uphold the rights of communities. The plunder of land and natural resources in Manipur through mining will only led to weakening of Manipur’s economy. The limited loyalty from mining will hardly reach the people. Such royalties will be disproportionate to the loss of land and resources for Manipur. The mining plan by Gulf Resources in Kwatha Village failed to recognize communities’ rights over their land and resources. Mining companies’ thirst for profits will led to land grabbing, deplete resources, deepen poverty, and inequality among peoples. The mining operation will intensify conflict and human rights in Manipur. Lack of Free, Prior and Informed Consent: The ongoing efforts to mine Chromite and Limestone from Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong and Chandel District failed to take the consent of the people of Manipur. No consultation with communities has been carried out by the Government. No detailed project report, environment impact assessment etc has not been conducted. Environment Impacts: The mining plan at Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal Districts are marred with absence of forest clearance and environment clearances by the mining companies. The project for mining at Singcha was approved in 2017 and 2018 even without receiving Environment and Forest clearance for the project. Manipur in indeed identified as the zone of confluence of three major species streams namely the Malayo-Polynesian species, the Tibeto-Chinese species, and the Indian sub-continent species. Extensive mining operations in the entire area of Kwatha, Singcha – Gamnon, Mailiang, Hundung, Phangrei, Lunghar etc will seriously affect the biodiversity, environment and the livelihood of the villagers while mining companies profit from the destructions. Lack of Appraisal of Impacts: The Impact of Chromite mining, more so of the health impacts of Chromium has not been mentioned. The previous Chromium mining plan at Phangrei in Ukhrul District was abandoned after locals protest the mining plan due to the health, and environmental impacts of the project. The pre-feasibility study report (PFR) prepared by the mining company stated that the mining lease area at Lunghar is devoid of any forest land or agricultural land and the entire land is categorized as unclassed Government land despite the fact that Sirohi and Lunghar villages are one of the most forested area of Manipur along with Shingcha – Gamnon. DEMANDS: We demand the following 1. Stop mining plan in Manipur without the consultation and consent of the people of Manipur. 2. Withdraw all MoUs signed between the Government of Manipur and various mining companies without the consultation and consent of the people of Manipur.
