In Brief
Mining lessees operating in Karnataka's Bellary, Chitradurga, and Tumkur districts challenged Court orders requiring them to contribute 10% of iron ore sale proceeds to a Special Purpose Vehicle for environmental restoration, arguing that new District Mineral Foundation obligations (under 2015 amendments) make such contributions redundant. The Supreme Court held that District Mineral Foundations address normal responsible mining while this SPV addresses extraordinary illegal mining damage. Existing lessees must continue 10% contributions. On the CEPMIZ scheme, the Court approved core infrastructure (conveyor belts, railway sidings/sub-lines) but deferred decision on broader socio-economic and medical projects pending detailed implementation plans.
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