Two more mines operated in Ratnagiri by a Mumbai-based firm have been served closure notices for illegal mining.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) issued closure notices to Ashapura Minechem Limited’s mines at Rovale and Uttambar on January 14, the day it ordered the company’s bauxite mine in neighbouring Sakhri Velas to shut operations. The MPCB’s notices, which the HT has copies of, said that the mines were operating illegally. Ashapura did not respond to requests for comments.
The closure notices were served after a series of reports in the HT about how Ashapura had been illegally mining 10 times more bauxite at Sakhri Velas than the MPCB had allowed it to although its lease had expired.
“We have sealed the mine [at Sakhri Velas] and have recommended to the state that the company’s mining lease be cancelled,” collector MB Gaikwad said.