SCCL urges HC to modify sand mining orders

HYDERABAD: The Singareni Collieries Company Ltd has approached High Court with a request to modify its orders on sand mining. The SCCL said in its petition that stopping mining and quarrying of sand in six mines leased by the company in Karimnagar district would result in loss of coal production and layoff of workers.It may be recalled that the High Court had, on March 21, passed interim orders by staying sand auctions and quarrying in the state from April 1, and has refused to lift the ban despite the state government’s request. Besides, it directed the government to submit a list of people and their antecedents, against whom recovery proceedings had been initiated for indulging in illegal sand mining.The SCCL represented by its chairman and managing director, submitted that by virtue of the court’s interim orders, the supply of sand to the collieries came to a total stop and the company was unable to get the sand leases operative.  “Sand is treated as a major mineral for the purpose of stowing. After coal is extracted in underground mines, voids will form and need to be filled up with sand to continue mining operations.