New rules soon to ease laterite mining in Dakshina Kannada: Dinesh Gundu Rao

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 13, 2025: A high-level meeting was held at Vidhana Soudha to enable laterite mining in accordance with the law. The meeting was chaired by Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, with Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Mines and Geology Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge, Uttara Kannada District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya, Udupi District In-charge Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, legislators from various parties representing coastal districts, and senior officials in attendance.

The meeting discussed removing existing hurdles to laterite mining in Dakshina Kannada and other coastal areas. Officials from the Mines and Geology Department briefed participants on earlier deliberations in preparatory meetings and the steps being taken to implement revised regulations. It was decided that the process for granting licenses for non-commercial laterite quarries would be simplified, with a draft SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) being prepared.

District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao directed the Mines Department to ensure a quick and hassle-free system for issuing mining licenses. He stressed that laterite is essential for building and housing projects in the district and instructed that applicants be granted permission promptly, with licenses issued within a month.

Speaker U.T. Khader, who presided over the meeting, called on the Mines Department to address issues related to leveling land and drilling for construction works. He also suggested reducing royalties and ensuring lawful provisions for laterite mining.