In Brief
This case concerns restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on mining operations in three districts of Karnataka (Bellary, Tumkur, Chitradurga) following decades of illegal mining that severely damaged the environment. The Court had banned mining, mandated e-auction sales through a monitoring committee, and prohibited exports. After environmental conditions substantially improved and rehabilitation plans were implemented, miners sought permission for direct sales and exports. The Court allowed these petitions, permitting direct contracts for inter-state sales and exports in line with government policy, treating these mines equally with those in other states. The Court found market forces more appropriate than court-imposed restrictions, though deferred the question of lifting production caps to a designated Oversight Authority.
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