Cabinet orders probe into illegal mining NEW DELHI | Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:06pm IST
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The cabinet on Monday has ordered a probe into alleged illegal mining in the country, Mines Minister B.K. Handique told reporters. Several mineral-rich Indian states say several mining firms operate without necessary licences and approvals. Karnataka, India's second-largest iron ore producer, has banned export of the steel-making raw material, citing illegal mining as a provocation. Orissa in the east has been engaged in a year-long drive against offenders closing several mines, while Goa has said it will clamp down on exports of illegally mined iron ore. (Reporting by Nigam Prusty; editing by Malini Menon) (For more business news on Reuters India click in.reuters.com) http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50864020100816