OREANDA-NEWS. The Minister of State for Steel and Mines, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that there are 13 cases of iron and manganese mining projects which are awaiting environmental clearances as per Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, as on 01/11/2014.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the concept of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for development of Steel Plants in the country involves agreement of the iron ore rich State Governments for providing land and infrastructure facilities along with iron ore supply to SPV. Discussions in this regard are underway with the concerned State Governments. Similarly, in order to have speedy development of resources like iron ore & coal in the country, a concept of Special Mining Zone (SMZ) is being deliberated upon to facilitate procedural requirements for exploitation of minerals without unnecessary restrictions.