The Supreme Court today allowed 118 legal mines to re-open in three districts of Karnataka after a gap of two years. The Apex Court, however, cancelled leases of all mine projects planned outside the sanctioned area of Karnataka's Bellary district. The illegal iron ore mining on Andhra-Karnataka border would remain suspended till demarcation of boundary between the two states is completed, the court said.The apex court's decision was based on the recommendations made by the Central Empowered Committee, which was constituted by the Supreme Court to look into the mining issues in Karanataka. The court delivered its judgement on a PIL seeking a ban on illegal mining which was filed three years ago.

The Supreme Court has said that it's up to the gram sabhas or local self-government to decide on Bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha. They have been asked to share their decision within three months with the union Environment Ministry. The mining project is a joint venture between UK-Based Vendanta resources and the state government. It is meant to supply bauxite, the main raw material for aluminium, to an alumina refinery it has set up at Lanjigarh in the Kalahandi district, about 450 kilometres from state capital. The refinery was shut in December because of a shortage of bauxite. The union government in 2011 had refused environmental clearances to the mining project. The Odisha government had challenged the centre's decision in the Supreme Court.