Mangaluru: The State government has granted permission for mining of iron-ore to the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) in 474 hectare land at Devadari in Ballari.

Addressing a press meet on Monday February 1, Mangaluru North MLA Moideen Bava said that the KIOCL was contemplating to close operations here and move to other state as the business here was running on thin ice. He said that as the company had urged him to help revive the business, he put forth a proposal in the Legislative Assemble in this regard and also spoke to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress Union leader Oscar Fernandes, who responded positively.

“The revival of mining has given a new lease of life to about 500 contractor workers and about 10,000 families directly and indirectly. Also, the KIOCL had to get ore from Orissa. Getting ore from Ballari will cut down production cost considerably,” he said adding that more land will be allotted to the company for mining in future.

Bava also informed that CM Siddaramaiah will be visiting DK post ZP election and will pay a visit to KIOCL.