Suspicions mount over CMRL’s permit as Department of Mining and Geology conceals black sand mining files

Thiruvananthapuram: The Department of Mining and Geology has come under scrutiny for concealing files related to black sand mining. Chithrabhanu, a social activist, utilized the Right to Information Act (RTI) to request documents regarding mining permits issued to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). However, the Department’s response has sparked further suspicions.

Chithrabhanu’s requests for information regarding the timing of CMRL’s mining permission, the extent of land allocated for mining, the duration of the permit, the selling price of black sand, and the government’s profits from this venture were left unanswered. Consequently, Chithrabhanu filed an appeal.

In response, the Department of Mining and Geology cited a delay in locating files dating back 20 years. The documents provided failed to address Chithrabhanu’s queries, raising doubts about CMRL’s possession of a valid mining permit. Chithrabhanu remarked that the received documents only serve to reinforce allegations suggesting that CMRL lacks the necessary mining permit.