Sand Mining
CIL to produce sand using overburden rocks; likely to begin ops by next yr
State-owned CIL intends to produce sand using overburden rocks lying at its various coal mines and the operation of five such sand plants is likely to commence by next year, the government said on Friday. Under the 'overburden (OB) rocks-to-manufactured sand' initiative, Coal India Ltd (CIL) facilitates processing of waste overburden at its open cast mines. "CIL has envisaged to process the overburden rocks for sand production in mines where OB material contain about 60 per cent sandstone by volume which is harnessed through crushing and processing of overburden," the coal ministry said in a statement. Out of the five proposed plants, Ballarpur Plant of Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) is expected to commence sand production by May. Four plants -- one each in WCL, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL)-- are under different stages of tendering process. To fast-track the 'OB-to-sand' initiative, CIL has prepared a model bid .
 "CIL to produce sand using overburden rocks; likely to begin ops by next yr")
Sand mafia in Jharkhand's Gulma tries to mow down SDPO, team by dumper
A sub divisional police officer (SDPO) and some of his team members sustained injuries after a sand mafia allegedly tried to run over the SDPO's car by a dumper truck in Jharkhand's Gumla district
Andhra Pradesh govt struggling for means to fight red sanders smuggling
The recent blockbuster 'Pushpa' laid bare the red sanders smuggling mafia and the high stakes involved in it
 "Andhra Pradesh govt struggling for means to fight red sanders smuggling")
Punjab CM's nephew accepted he received Rs 10 cr cash for sand mining: ED
Bhupinder Singh alias Honey, the arrested nephew of Punjab CM Channi, has "accepted" that he received Rs 10 crore cash in lieu of facilitating sand mining operations, the ED claimed
 "Punjab CM's nephew accepted he received Rs 10 cr cash for sand mining: ED")
Sand mining case: ED does not report to me, Amarinder hits back at Channi
After Punjab CM blamed Captain Amarinder Singh for the Enforcement Directorate's raids on one of his relatives, the latter hit back at the former stating 'ED doesn't report to me'
 "Sand mining case: ED does not report to me, Amarinder hits back at Channi")
Punjab sand mining case: ED recovers Rs 10 crore cash, documents
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday recovered more cash during ongoing raids in connection with illegal sand mining case of Punjab. The ED team conducted raids in Pathankot and in other areas.
 "Punjab sand mining case: ED recovers Rs 10 crore cash, documents")
Illegal sand mining: ED raids multiple locations in poll-bound Punjab
The ED raided multiple locations in poll-bound Punjab as part of a money laundering probe against companies involved in illegal sand mining in the border state
 "Illegal sand mining: ED raids multiple locations in poll-bound Punjab")
SC allows sand mining in Bihar, says ban causes loss to public exchequer
The top court said a balanced approach of sustainable development needs to be resorted
 "SC allows sand mining in Bihar, says ban causes loss to public exchequer")
Install CCTV cameras to curb illegal sand mining in Goa: Bombay HC
The court has now directed the police to seize and destroy unregistered canoes and impound the trucks which illegally transport sand, and to install CCTV cameras at illegal sand mining sites.
 "Install CCTV cameras to curb illegal sand mining in Goa: Bombay HC")
CIL takes initiative to produce sand from overburden at much cheaper price
Production of sand has already started, the coal ministry said in a statement.
 "CIL takes initiative to produce sand from overburden at much cheaper price")
An award-winning journalist tracks humankind's migration out of Africa
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Salopek is on an intercontinental journey of 24,000 miles, tracing humankind's movement out of Africa right down to South America
 "An award-winning journalist tracks humankind's migration out of Africa")
Bombay HC orders Goa to crack down on those involved in illegal sand mining
The court was hearing a petition filed by Rainbow Warriors, a local NGO
 "Bombay HC orders Goa to crack down on those involved in illegal sand mining")
SC seeks reply from Centre, 5 states on plea alleging illegal sand mining
Plea alleges states doing little to curb illegal mining, seeks CBI inquiry, cancellation of mine licenses
SC issues notices to govt, CBI, 5 states over illegal sand mining plea
The plea also sought a direction from the apex court to the CBI
 "SC issues notices to govt, CBI, 5 states over illegal sand mining plea")
Fimi wants parity for private miners in excavating beach sand minerals
Takes exception to Centre's stand to allow only PSUs in this area, says private sector has been contributing Rs 5,000 crore a year to current revenue since this area was opened to it
 "Fimi wants parity for private miners in excavating beach sand minerals")
SC suspends Rs 100-cr penalty on Andhra for 'failing' to stop sand mining
The Supreme Court in its order said that it is permitting Andhra Pradesh to move an appropriate application before the NGT within two weeks.
 "SC suspends Rs 100-cr penalty on Andhra for 'failing' to stop sand mining")
Sand price almost doubles in Chhattisgarh with new mining policy
State recants mining rights from panchayats, state-owned CMDC new miner
Chhattisgarh recants sand mining rights from panchayats, cites misuse
State-owned CMDC will now extract and mine sand, Baghel govt announces new royalty sharing formula
Odisha suggests uniform coding to check illegal sand mining
Practice threatens the existence of over 70% of the world's beaches
 "Odisha suggests uniform coding to check illegal sand mining")
Sand mining ban in Dakshina Kannada from June 15
Builders of government structures had been advised to put together enough stock of sand before the ban comes into effect
 "Sand mining ban in Dakshina Kannada from June 15")
