Committee formed to oversee mining sector

ABBOTTABAD:

To streamline the processes surrounding mining leases and stone crushing plants, the Abbottabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) on Wednesday announced the formation of a new district-level committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner General.

The committee will work to enhance oversight and regulation in the mining sector. The committee comprised officials including the Assistant Commissioner Headquarters, Additional Assistant Commissioners, Assistant Director of Mines and Minerals, Assistant Director of Industries, Assistant Director of Environment, Tehsildars from all tehsils, and all SDPOs.

The DC formed the committee after numerous complaints regarding illegal mining, pollution and blast mining that have created havoc in most residential vicinities surrounding the mining existing mining areas. The committee's key objective is to generate a comprehensive list of mining and mineral leases across tehsils. It will distinguish between legal and illegal mining leases and licenses and prepare a detailed report.

The committee will compile a list of crushing plants at the tehsil level and categorise them as legal or illegal. Recommendations will be made regarding the relocation of stone-crushing plants that are causing damage to mountains within the city limits.