The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, India, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, sanctioned an order to cancel bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam District. The order cancelled bauxite mining lease in 3,030 acres of land, in the forest areas of Visakhapatnam, awarded to Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) by the previous State Government.
The Reddy had promised cancellation of bauxite mining lease to the people of the Agency area. The previous TDP government sanctioned the lease considering the potential of more income generation for the state. The Maoists and local tribals have been violently protesting bauxite mining in the designated area.
Now, the Central Government will have to take the final decision on the cancellation orders of the present AP State Government.
The mining blocks of Chintapalle and Jerella in the Agency areas have rich deposits of bauxite ore in an area admeasuring 3,030 acres. The bauxite mined from the in the tribal areas of Visakhapatnam district was to be supplied to alumina refinery of Anrak Aluminium Ltd. The ban has actually sealed the future of the refinery, unless it plans for an alternative way to arrange bauxite for it. The refinery that has been lying idle for five years would need 4.5 million tonne of bauxite ore per annum to run at its full capacity.
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