The Central public sector undertaking, KIOCL Ltd, formerly known as Kudremukh Iron Ore Co Ltd, has been allotted mining lease for iron ore and manganese ore in Karnataka.

The mining lease has been allotted in an area of 116.55 hectares in Hombalagatta and Hosahalli villages of ChikkanayakanaHallitaluk of Tumkuru district.

The Union Minister of State for Steel and Mines, Vishnu DeoSaiinformed the LokSabha that the Ministry of Mines has allotted KIOCL a lease for iron ore and manganese ore in an area of 116.55 hectares in Hombalagatta and Hosahalli villages of C N HalliTaluk, Tumkur.

The mine is for a period of 30 years.

Vishnu DeoSai said requisite clearances are under process with concerned authorities.

KIOCL located in Karnataka has expertise in mining and beneficiation of iron ore for more than 25 years.

KIOCL had operated the most sophisticated mechanized magnetite iron ore mine to produce 22.5 million tonnes of run of mines (ROM) per annum with state- of-the art beneficiation technology to produce 7.5 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate in the country till the end of 2005.

KIOCL stopped mining operations at Kudremukh with effect from January 1, 2006, as per order of Supreme Court arising out of the area being declared as a National Park.

• [Editor:Sophie]