Policing body finds 173 out of 199 mines violating rules Ruhi Kandhari NEW DELHI IN A shocking report that exposes flouting of environmental and social regulations by mining companies, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has found that 173 out of 199 mines inspected in August were violating rules. Most of the violations of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act were due to noncompliance of mining plan. In other words, inadequate or complete absence of environmental and social considerations that may adversely impact the residents of the communities residing near mines led to maximum number of violations. Mining plan is prepared by a mining company and approved by the bureau before a mining company can apply for other environmental clearances. It is last step before grant of a mining lease. A senior official in IBM said that the violations included inadequate acid mine waters neutralising systems, ground water monitoring systems, waste rock disposal systems, blast vibration analysis, preservation of flora and fauna in the region and non-execution of the mine closure plan. He added that most violations were reported from the iron ore, limestone, dolomite and bauxite mines. IBM launched five prosecution cases in various courts against the violators that did not comply with the norms even after repeated warnings from IBM in August, in addition to the 568 outstanding cases launched by IBM. In addition, IBM issued 27 show cause notices to the violators.