Bengaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Lokayukta has decided to utilise satellite images in illegal mining investigation.

The office of the Lokayukta is probing more than 20 illegal mining cases and in this connection, the SIT will put to use satellite Remote Sensing Images to make out how much ore was unearthed from the mine. This would help in a scientific calculation to file the chargesheet.

On the basis of the report submitted by the former Lokayuktha Justice Sathosh Hegde, the SIT is investigating 69 cases related to over 50 lakh tonne ore export. Among them, chargesheets have been submitted in 28 cases and ‘B’ report has been submitted in 19 cases. The team is investigating the remaining cases.

The SIT has collected information on amount of exported ore from various ports, however, this new attempt is being done to estimate the amount of ore unearthed from the mine.

The officers had letter conversation with Singareni Coal Company of Telangana and requested to prepare a report based on satellite-based images. However, the demand of crores of rupees by the company stopped the process. Now, with the help of Karnataka State Remote Sensing and Application Centre (KSRSAC) efforts are continued to get satellite remote sensing image-based report at a minimum expense.

Anyhow, it would take enough time to get report, so, the SIT may submit an interim chargesheet by then, said the SIT sources.