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The <keyword id="19896633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="CBI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="CBI">CBI</keyword> has booked the country's leading aluminium producer <keyword id="20129733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindalco" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hindalco" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hindalco">Hindalco</keyword> of the <keyword id="19907441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aditya-Birla-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Aditya Birla Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Aditya Birla Group">Aditya Birla Group</keyword> for alleged <keyword id="19895687" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="corruption" source="keywords">corruption</keyword> in getting environmental clearances for <keyword id="20054958" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coal-mining" source="keywords">coal mining</keyword> between 2011 and 2013, officials said on Tuesday. The agency has also named T Chandini, the then director in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, for favouring the company as member secretary of the Expert Appraisal Committee ((EAC) in allowing mining in the Talabira-I mine in the critically polluted area of Odisha's Jharsuguda in violation of ministry guidelines, they said. The central probe agency registered an FIR against Hindalco and Chandini under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act after a nearly eight-year-long preliminary inquiry. Reacting to the FIR, a Hindalco spokesperson said, "This is an old matter pertaining to 2014-15. These mines were de-allocated as part of the government's de-allocation process. This is a matter of public record where more than 100 mines were de-allocated." The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the preliminary inquiry in 2016 on allegations that the Aditya Birla Management Corporation Private Limited (ABMCPL) had allegedly paid "massive bribes" between 2011 and 2013 to ministry officials for getting mandatory <keyword id="20082436" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="environmental-clearance" source="keywords">environmental clearance</keyword> to mine coal from Talabira. The findings of the inquiry showed that the ministry had made it mandatory in 2006 for a company to seek environment clearances for all new projects, expansion of existing products and any change in the product mix in an existing manufacturing unit. The projects needing prior environmental clearance were supposed to go through the EAC, consisting of experts from different disciplines. The clearance was given by the regulatory authority based on the EAC's recommendation. Hindalco received its first environmental clearance in 2001 for mining 0.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of coal from the Talabira-I mine. Another clearance was given in January 2009 for its expansion, allowing the increase in mining from 0.4 MTPA to 1.5 MTPA. Nearly a month after the second clearance, the company sought to double its capacity to 3 MTPA, which was to be considered by the EAC, it said. It emerged that the company had allegedly violated clearances given in 2001 and 2009 by producing more coal than permitted by the ministry, the FIR said. The company allegedly mined 3.04 MTPA excess coal from 2004-05 to 2007-08 and 2008-09, it said. "This fact became known during the process of consideration by the EAC of which T Chandini, director, was the member secretary," the FIR alleged. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed during the inquiry that the Talabira mine was in the critically polluted area of Jharsuguda, the CBI alleged. According to ministry rules, in-pipeline projects in critically polluted areas or those applying after January 13, 2010, were to be returned to the project proponent by member secretaries with the approval of the advisor. The inquiry showed that Chandini, despite being fully aware that the company was mining excess coal in violation of previous environmental clearances, did not return the project, as stipulated in the ministry circular. "Rather she acted to the contrary in as much as the proposal of HIL (Hindalco) was continued to be processed which amounted to misuse of her official position to favour HIL," the CBI FIR has alleged. Chandini, by misusing her official position, communicated to Hindalco that their proposal for grant environmental clearance would be considered in the next meeting of the EAC to be held on February 25 and 25, 2010, the agency alleged. She allegedly ensured that the clearance was granted in haste, considering the fact that Hindalco was already in violation of earlier clearances granted by the ministry, as it was already mining excess coal from the Talabira-I coal mine, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms" target="_blank">Unicommerce eSolutions IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms" target="_blank">Electric two-wheeler sales cross the 1 lakh mark after four months, Ola Electric leads the market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/neeraj-chopras-paris-olympics-journey-to-begin-with-qualification-round-today-top-rivals-to-look-out-for/articleshow/112311760.cms">Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals with a first throw of 89.34m – top rivals to look out for</a>

CBI books Hindalco for corruption in green clearance for Talabira coal mining

New Delhi [India], March 1 (ANI): The <keyword id="19916620" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-cabinet" source="keywords">Union Cabinet</keyword>, chaired by Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword>, has given its nod for the amendment of the Second Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to specify the royalty rates for 12 critical and strategic minerals. This decision includes minerals such as beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, <keyword id="20784576" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gallium" source="keywords">gallium</keyword>, and several others that are pivotal for the nation's strategic sectors, including defence, electronics, and renewable energy. According to an official release from the <keyword id="19901283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cabinet" source="keywords">Cabinet</keyword>, "The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the amendment of the Second Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 ('MMDR Act') for specifying the rate of royalty in respect of 12 critical and strategic minerals, viz., Beryllium, Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, Rhenium, Selenium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Titanium, Tungsten and Vanadium." This completes the exercise of the rationalisation of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals. It may be noted that the government notified the royalty rate of 4 critical minerals, viz., glauconite, potash, molybdenum and platinum Group of Minerals, on March 15, 2022, and of 3 critical minerals, viz., lithium, Niobium and rare earth elements, on October 12, 2023, according to the release. Recently, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, which came into force on August 17, 2023, listed 24 critical and strategic minerals in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act. The amendment provided that the mining lease and composite licence for these 24 minerals would be auctioned by the Central Government. The approval by the Union Cabinet for the specification of the rate of royalty will enable the Central Government to auction blocks for these 12 minerals for the first time in the country, it added. The royalty rate on minerals is an important financial consideration for the bidders in the auction of blocks. Further, the method for calculating the average sale price (<keyword id="20301760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="asp" source="keywords">ASP</keyword>) of these minerals has also been prepared by the Ministry of Mines, which will enable the determination of bid parameters. As per the release, the Second Schedule of the MMDR Act provides royalty rates for various minerals. Item No. 55 of the Second Schedule provides that the royalty rate for minerals whose royalty rate is not specifically provided therein shall be 12 per cent of the average sale price (ASP). Thus, if the royalty rate for these is not specifically provided, then their default royalty rate would be 12 per cent of ASP, which is considerably high as compared to other critical and strategic minerals. Also, this royalty rate of 12 per cent is not comparable with other mineral-producing countries. Critical minerals have become essential for economic development and national security in the country. Critical minerals such as Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Indium, selenium and Vanadium have been used in batteries, semiconductors, solar panels, etc. These minerals have gained significance given India's commitment to the energy transition and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Minerals like beryllium, titanium, tungsten, tantalum, etc. have been used in new technologies, electronics and defence equipment. Encouraging indigenous mining would lead to a reduction in imports and the setting up of related industries and infrastructure projects. The proposal is also expected to increase the generation of employment in the mining sector. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration &amp; Consultancy Ltd. (MECL) have recently handed over the exploration report of 13 blocks containing one or more critical minerals like cobalt, titanium, gallium, vanadium and tungsten. Further, these agencies are conducting exploration for these critical and strategic minerals in the country. (ANI)

Cabinet approves royalty rates for mining of 12 critical minerals

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine says it has destroyed a Russian minesweeper in the Black Sea.</li><li>The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine celebrated the loss of the Kovrovets minesweeper on X.</li></ul>Ukrainian forces destroyed Russia's Kovrovets sea minesweeper, the <a target="_blank" href="https://t.me/ukrainian_navy/6428">Ukrainian Navy reported on Telegram</a>."The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with their comrades, continue to bring us closer to victory," the Ukrainian Navy wrote on its Telegram channel.No information on where the attack took place or what weapons were used to target the Kovrovets, but Ukraine has had notable success in tormenting the Russian fleet with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-drone-dodges-fire-kills-russian-ship-fighting-black-sea-2024-5">exploding drone boats.</a>The <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1792110322028822560">Ministry of Defence of Ukraine took to X (formerly Twitter)</a> to celebrate the Russian Navy's latest loss.The Kovrovets, a Project 266M Natya class minesweeper, was used for mine-sweeping operations, reconnaissance, and control sweeping, <a target="_blank" href="https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/05/19/ukraine-says-it-destroyed-russian-black-sea-fleets-minesweeper-kovrovets/">Euromaidan Press reports</a>. It had also been deployed off the coast of in Syria.The Soviet-era minesweepers were built in the 1970s and 1980s and carried a crew of 68.In March, the <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-black-sea-navy-warships-8f614d856370a564ffee1e49f5313343">Ukrainian Navy told AP News</a> that Ukraine had destroyed or disabled one-third of all Russian warships that had been stationed in the Black Sea before the war.The latest sinking of a Russian warship follows attacks on Novorossiysk on Friday. The Russian port has become an important base for the Black Sea Fleet after repeated attacks on its traditional base in Crimea.It appears the attack on Novorossiysk was part of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-launched-largest-drone-attack-ever-russia-ports-uavs-report-2024-5?mrfhud=true">Ukraine's biggest drone attack ever.</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-upgrading-black-sea-naval-base-after-ukraine-attacks-uk-2024-4">Satellite images from April</a> indicate that Russia was beefing up its defenses for its Black Sea Fleet naval base in Novorossiysk.However, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-bombs-port-where-russias-navy-took-refuge-crimea-attacks-2024-5">Novorossiysk was struck</a> by Ukrainian missiles and drones this weekend.As Ukraine maintains pressure on Russia in Crimea and the Black Sea region, its troops have struggled to fend off Russian advances along the eastern front, particularly near Kharkiv. Despite progress made by Russian forces,<a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-reports-no-shortages-artillery-shells-first-time-zelenskyy-2024-5"> </a>President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-reports-no-shortages-artillery-shells-first-time-zelenskyy-2024-5">Ukraine was not experiencing a shortage of artillery shells</a> for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Ukraine said it destroyed a Russian  minesweeper. 'Another bad day for the Black Sea fleet' — ministry.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine's defense ministry said his country is now "the most heavily mined country in the world."</li><li>Reznikov said that in some places there are five landmines for every square meter, or 11 square feet.</li></ul>Ukraine's defense minister called his country "the most heavily mined country in the world" as he pleaded for more equipment to help clear <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/density-russia-minefields-insane-says-ukraine-official-counteroffensive-2023-8?r=US&amp;IR=T">the dense minefields that Russian forces have deployed</a> since their invasion last year.Oleksii Reznikov <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/13/ukraine-desperate-for-help-clearing-mines-says-defence-minister" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The Guardian</a> that Ukrainian soldiers are trying to make progress despite Russia laying so many mines that in some places there are five mines for every square meter, or 11 square feet."Russian minefields are a serious obstacle for our troops, but not insurmountable," he said, adding: "We have skilled sappers and modern equipment, but they are extremely insufficient for the front that stretches hundreds of kilometers in the east and south of Ukraine."The front line stretches for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-fortifies-600-mile-front-line-with-trenches-mines-reports-2023-5">about 600 miles</a>, according to some estimates.Reznikov said that he was grateful that many of Ukraine's European allies had agreed in a meeting last month to train and equip Ukrainians clearing mines, but that Ukraine needs help from more countries, and more equipment."At this stage of our de-occupation campaign we critically need more mine clearance equipment, from minesweeping trawls to Bangalore torpedoes," he said.A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/explosives-helping-troops-for-a-century-2016-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">bangalore torpedo</a> is an explosive charge packed into one of more metal tubes that can clear mines. Russia has been using mines heavily during the conflict, and Ukraine said <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-ukraine-overcoming-russia-minefields-counteroffensive-to-ramp-up-2023-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">dense minefields have slowed its counteroffensive efforts</a>, which began in June. Ukraine has so far only made small gains in taking back territory since the counteroffensive began.Pete Smith, the head of the Ukraine program at mine-clearing NGO Halo, told The Guardian that Russia has mined Ukraine to such an extent that 10,000 mine clearers would take a decade to rid the country of all of the landmines.Ukrainian military engineers previously told Insider that Russian troops <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russias-mining-everywhere-ukraine-explosives-fridges-toys-books-military-engineers-2023-8?r=US&amp;IR=T">had mined almost everything they could find</a>, including refrigerators, toys, and children's books, in a bid to inflict as much damage as possible.Minefields have meant that in some places Ukrainian soldiers have had to leave behind their advanced Western tanks to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/minefields-force-ukraine-to-change-counteroffensive-strategy-russia-2023-7">progress on foot</a>.Some Ukrainian units have also had to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/density-russia-minefields-insane-says-ukraine-official-counteroffensive-2023-8?r=US&amp;IR=T">try to clear minefields by hand</a>, according to reports.And <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/13/ukraine-sappers-mine-clearers-russia-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian reported</a> that one sapper unit had just a single pair of night vision goggles and one pair of spider boots between them, with two of the unit losing feet in explosions in recent weeks.Some Ukrainian civilians <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-ukrainians-trying-to-demine-their-homes-from-russian-bombs?ref=home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are also clearing mines and unexploded ordinances from their own lands</a>, despite the dangers, with the state services tasked with helping overwhelmed.Experts told Insider that Russian forces <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-hesitation-giving-ukraine-weapons-hindering-counteroffensive-analysts-say-2023-6?r=US&amp;IR=T">had time to build up their defenses because Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts were delayed</a>.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-ukraine-overcoming-russia-minefields-counteroffensive-to-ramp-up-2023-7?r=US&amp;IR=T">he wanted the counteroffensive to start earlier</a>, but he felt he had to wait for more Western weapons to arrive.

Ukraine is now the 'most heavily mined country in the world,' defense minister says, as he pleads for more de-mining equipment

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine's military intelligence agency said its forces staged a raid across the border into Russia.</li><li>During the assault, Kyiv's troops engaged in heavy combat and attacked Russian positions.</li></ul>Ukrainian forces executed a cross-border raid into Russia, where they attacked military positions, inflicted a number of casualties, and mined the only road in the area, Kyiv said on Friday.In a statement shared to the social media platform Telegram, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said its troops carried out the assault just over the border into Russia's western Belgorod region and that it was intended to protect civilians who live near Russia and who suffer from attacks by Moscow. It's unclear when, exactly, the raid took place.The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence, an arm of the country's defense ministry also known as the HUR, said it had gathered information that Russian military leadership planned to inspect positions in Belgorod after receiving complaints from troops about poor conditions there. The HUR said it then planned and carried out the raid to inflict losses and deal a blow to Russia's morale.During the raid, Ukrainian forces used small arms and mortars to attack the Russian positions and detonated mines that they had placed along the only road in the area, the HUR said. It added that Russia suffered losses without specifying the exact number of killed and wounded.The HUR shared a video of the raid, during which Ukrainian soldiers can be seen sneaking through a forest, laying mines on a road, engaging in heavy firefights, and striking Russian positions.Ukrainian soldiers have made <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-special-forces-daring-amphibious-raid-crimea-raised-flag-russia-2023-8">previous incursions</a> behind enemy lines. Kyiv's forces conducted <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-special-forces-said-chased-russia-warships-after-crimea-raid-2023-10">multiple landings</a> on the occupied Crimean peninsula over the past few months. These raids, however, appear to have been largely symbolic. It's unclear if the latest demonstration is more of the same or served a larger purpose.Kyiv-backed assaults specifically targeting the Belgorod region, located just east of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, aren't a new phenomenon. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/anti-putin-rebels-have-ambitious-plans-for-more-attacks-in-russia-2023-7">Freedom of Russia Legion</a> — a Ukraine-based band of militants who oppose the Kremlin — have carried out multiple cross-border raids into the region since May 2023, where they have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-anti-putin-group-freedom-legion-said-behind-attack-belgorod-2023-12">attacked Russian positions</a>, generally wreaked havoc, and even <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-backed-russian-militants-say-taken-over-russian-village-2023-5">taken over villages</a>.The Belgorod region, home to some 1.5 million people, has also been a focal point of recent aerial attacks.On Dec. 30, the Russian defense ministry blamed Ukraine for firing missiles and rockets at the area, which killed over two dozen people and injured <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67869960">more than 100 others</a>. Moscow said in a Telegram statement that the incident "will not go unpunished" and, on Wednesday, claimed to foil another Ukrainian attack on the region.The Dec. 30 strikes came just one day after Russia launched its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-accidentally-bombs-own-village-during-missile-attack-on-ukraine-2024-1">largest air attack</a> against Ukraine since the full-scale war began nearly two years ago. Officials said Moscow on Dec. 29 fired nearly 160 missiles and drones at targets across the country — including civilian areas and critical infrastructure — killing dozens of people and injuring more than 150 others.<div type="image" title="Service members with the Freedom of Russia Legion under the Ukrainian Army prepare to fire a mortar" height="1400" width="2000" msid="106582932" hostid="261" sizebytes="643122"></div>Just four days later, on Jan. 2, Russia unleashed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-missile-blast-sounded-like-armageddon-ukrainian-lawmaker-says-2024-1">another massive bombardment</a>, hurling more than 130 missiles and drones at various targets across the country, with the bulk of the strikes directed toward Kyiv. This attack left five people dead and 130 others injured.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said later in an address to the nation that the past few days had seen Russia launch around 300 cruise and ballistic missiles and 200 explosive one-way attack drones at the country."Prior to Ukraine, no country in the world had ever successfully repulsed such combined attacks with the use of drones and missiles," he <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1742272845286146474">said</a>. "Each additional air-defense system and missile saves more lives. It is here, in Ukraine, and with our air defense, that we must demonstrate that democracies are capable of protecting lives from all types of terror.""If we fail to achieve this task in Ukraine now, Russian terror will further spread throughout Europe and beyond," Zelenskyy added.His words of caution come amid uncertainty over the future of US security assistance to Ukraine, as additional funding remains held up in Congress, despite urgent pleas from Ukraine, the Biden administration, and allies in Europe who have warned of the consequences that waning support for Kyiv could bring.

Ukrainian forces snuck into Russia, raided military positions, and mined the only road in the area, Kyiv says

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine said on Tuesday that its special forces raided a Russian mining platform in the Black Sea.</li><li>The facility was used to support Moscow's drone operations and control the area, Kyiv said.</li></ul>Ukrainian special forces raided and then blew up a mining platform in the Black Sea that Russia was using to support its drone operations, Kyiv said on Tuesday.Russia had previously seized the mining platform, located near the coast of the occupied Crimean peninsula, and installed equipment to increase the scale of its Iranian-made drone capabilities, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://t.me/ukr_sof/932">statement</a> shared to the messaging app Telegram, citing unspecified intelligence.It added that Moscow had also placed a radar on the platform to monitor ships in the Black Sea and better control the region.Ukraine said that during the nighttime raid, which was captured on video and shared to social media, its forces stormed the platform after sailing out to it in fast boats, skirting both Russian aircraft and navy patrols. Ukrainian troops searched the facility, mined it, and left with equipment they found there. Then, they blew up the platform's mast and antenna. It was not immediately clear when the operation, dubbed "Citadel," took place. Ukraine hailed it on Tuesday as a success and said it will ensure safer movement of ships in the Black Sea and limit Russia's capabilities there.Ukrainian special forces have staged numerous assaults targeting Russian-held assets in the Black Sea and around Crimea.In August, for instance, Kyiv's forces carried out an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-special-forces-daring-amphibious-raid-crimea-raised-flag-russia-2023-8">amphibious raid</a> into a small village at the westernmost point of Crimea, where they battled Russian troops and planted a Ukrainian flag — it was a fairly symbolic moment for the country as it's people observed Independence Day.The following month, Ukraine released footage of its forces retaking control of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-retakes-gas-drilling-platforms-russia-crimea-special-forces-video-2023-9">gas drilling platforms</a> situated off the coast of Crimea, which were seized by Russia in 2015 following its illegal annexation of the peninsula the previous year.<div type="image" title="Ukrainian soldiers are seen on a boat during a 'special operation' by Ukrainian forces at a location given as near Olenivka and Mayak settlements, Crimea, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released on August 24, 2023." height="2010" width="3584" msid="107469165" hostid="261" sizebytes="42044"></div>The Black Sea has emerged as an important <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-lost-fifth-black-sea-fleet-last-four-months-2023-12">battle space</a> in the nearly two-year-long war, one beyond the sprawling front lines stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine.Ukraine <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-picked-black-sea-naval-fight-losing-ukraine-without-fleet-2023-9">doesn't have much of a navy</a>, but it's relied on a formidable arsenal of exploding drone boats and long-range cruise missiles from the West to wreak havoc on Russia's Black Sea Fleet and hammer key positions throughout Crimea over the past few months.Just last week, Ukraine said its forces used the home-made naval drones to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-ukraine-claims-sunk-russia-ship-naval-drone-crimea-2024-2">sink a Russian warship</a>, the Ivanovets, which was stationed in northwestern Crimea. Kyiv has carried out attacks like this on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-hit-russia-warship-sea-drone-attack-novorossiysk-videos-officials-2023-8">multiple occasions</a>.Ukraine's defense ministry <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1754885408385634581">said</a> Tuesday that it has destroyed or damaged 24 Russian ships and one submarine since the war began in February 2022, amounting to a third of the warships that make up the Black Sea Fleet.

Ukraine says its special forces blew up a Black Sea mining platform in the night to throw off Russian drone operations

<keyword id="484749" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jaiprakash-power-ventures-ltd" source="Orion">Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd</keyword> acquired Bandha North coal mine in Madhya Pradesh, while <keyword id="14366646" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="avassa-ferro" source="Orion">Avassa Ferro</keyword> Alloys Private Ltd bagged Dahegaon/Makardhokra-IV reserve in <keyword id="13126" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="maharashtra" source="Orion">Maharashtra</keyword> out of the eight blocks which were put up for e-auction by the government for commercial mining on Tuesday. <keyword id="14979041" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="madhya-bharat-minerals-private-ltd" source="Orion">Madhya Bharat Minerals Private Ltd</keyword> got Sursa reserve in Chhattisgarh, while Marki Mangli-IV coal reserve in Maharashtra was pouched by Sobhagya Mercantile Ltd. Jitpur reserve in Jharkhand was acquired by <keyword id="14979040" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="terri-mining-private-ltd" source="Orion">Terri Mining Private Ltd</keyword> while Rampia and Dip side of Rampia in Odisha were won by Jhar Mineral Resource Private Ltd. Basantpur coal block in Jharkhand was bagged by Gangaramchak Mining Private Ltd. Out of these eight blocks, five are full explored while three reserves are partially explored mines. The total geological reserves for these eight coal mines are 2157 million tonnes and the cumulative peak rate capacity for these reserves are 19.31 million tonnes per annum. The Coal Ministry will conduct e-auction of two more reserves on Wednesday. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/regional-and-folk-singers-are-using-youtube-to-preserve-and-popularise-their-culture/articleshow/94179996.cms">Regional and folk singers are using YouTube to preserve and popularise their culture</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indias-growth-story-more-promising-than-other-ems-says-market-veteran-nilesh-shah/articleshow/94182972.cms">India’s growth story more promising than other EMs, says market veteran Nilesh Shah</a>

Jaiprakash Power Ventures, Avassa Ferro Alloys among successful bidders for commercial coal blocks

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russian soldiers who previously occupied Ukrainian territory left it littered with land mines. </li><li>Ukrainian military engineers told Insider that Russia also set deadly booby traps in people's homes.</li></ul>Ukraine has been battling Russia's invasion for more than 17 months, but it's held it's own and even managed to liberate massive swaths of land that it lost early in the fighting. By some Western estimates, around 50 percent of what was initially seized has already been reclaimed by Kyiv's troops. But expelling the Russians from towns, cities, and rural areas doesn't mean eliminating the threat altogether. Occupying soldiers have left behind a deadly and vicious problem for Ukraine — one that will cause it headaches for years and years to come: the widespread deployment of land mines and traps. Russia has practically mined everything, Ukrainian military engineers told Insider in a recent interview. And they often do so for no obvious tactical advantage. For instance, they cruelly hide explosives in everyday household items like refrigerators, toys, and even children's books. The goal is simply to inflict as much damage as possible. Mines are, of course, also a huge problem on the front lines. During the months leading up to the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russia built layers of elaborate defenses, with one of those fortifications being sprawling <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/minefields-force-ukraine-to-change-counteroffensive-strategy-russia-2023-7">minefields</a> along the front in the eastern and southern regions. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said last month that this the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraines-biggest-threat-russian-minefields-airpower-us-general-2023-7">biggest problem</a> for Ukraine to solve, and the leading cause of casualties among Kyiv's troops. <div type="image" title="A sapper checks an area as rescuers work at a residential building damaged by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's invasion on Ukraine, in the town of Izium, recently liberated by Ukrainian Armed Forces, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine September 16, 2022." height="4000" width="5603" msid="102450155" hostid="261" sizebytes="1861980"></div>Between Russia's current defensive lines and the mines left behind from earlier phases of the war, Ukraine has effectively become the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-land-mines-757-years-reversal-russian-military-counteroffensive-deminer-2023-7">most mined country</a> in the world — with some officials <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-largest-minefield-shmyhal/32214163.html#:~:text=The%20mined%20area,%20according%20to,main%20industries,%22%20he%20said">suggesting</a> that over 40 percent of the country's territory may be contaminated. It could take centuries to clean up all the explosives at a cost of tens of <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1138477#:~:text=The%20World%20Bank%20estimates%20that,mine%20action%20in%20the%20country.">billions</a> of dollars. Some observers have even suggested it may <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/former-special-forces-engineer-says-russian-land-mines-are-exhausting-2023-7">never be completely demined</a>.Removing these mines is a painstaking and deadly process, often carried out by sappers, combat engineers tasked with everything from building bridges to clearing minefields.One of these individuals is Oleksandr, who leads a small team of young sappers engaged in humanitarian demining efforts around Kyiv and other regions in northern Ukraine. This area had been under Russian occupation during the early weeks and months of the war, but even after it was liberated, it was left riddled with mines, unexploded ordnance, and booby traps. <div type="image" title="Military sappers inspect an area for mines and non-exploded shells left after Russia's invasion in Kyiv Region, Ukraine April 21, 2022." height="4034" width="6051" msid="102450157" hostid="261" sizebytes="904140"></div>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-europe-8482e237420a33a17bfb4e613e75bb66">warned</a> in April 2022 that Russian soldiers retreating in the north at the time had left mines everywhere, creating a "complete disaster.""They are mining the whole territory. They are mining homes, mining equipment, even the bodies of people who were killed," he said in an address to the nation. "There are a lot of trip wires, a lot of other dangers."<h2>'As much damage as they can'</h2>Oleksandr, whose last name is intentionally being withheld for security reasons, joined Ukraine's State Special Transport Service, a unit under the command of the country's defense ministry, last fall and only had a few months of training before he started demining activities earlier this year — a quick turnaround given the scale of the problem.Humanitarian demining means clearing explosives from areas where active combat has ceased — like areas in northern Ukraine — so that the local population can sooner return to their normal lives, or as close to normal as possible under the circumstances. This includes demining of critical transportation infrastructure, like railways, bridges, highways, and roads, and even nuclear facilities. <div type="image" title="A sapper of the State Emergency Service inspects an area for mines and unexploded shells, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine March 21, 2023." height="3354" width="4788" msid="102450405" hostid="261" sizebytes="1928972"></div>Speaking through a translator, Oleksandr detailed to Insider how his team carries out demining and the life-threatening challenges of his job. The demining process begins with the sappers talking to locals to understand the extent of the contamination and if they're dealing with Russian land mines or unexploded artillery shells.Once the sappers have this information, they move to a more technical step, which is flying drones to map unexploded ordnance on the surface. After this, the sappers start manually clearing the area with metal detectors and other equipment. Oleksandr said the crucial element in this process is to not be in a hurry and always be mindful of what's happening.Mines come in all different shapes, sizes, and lethality. Some <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/LANDMINES/myvmgnqbavr/index.html">explosives</a> are placed in the ground and are designed to be triggered by armored vehicles or infantry soldiers, either by a pressure plate or trip wire, while others can be deployed from a distance through aircraft or artillery and may detonate without actually being touched. <div type="image" title="A sapper of the State Emergency Service carries an anti-tank mine as he inspects an area for mines and unexploded shells, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine March 21, 2023." height="3841" width="5500" msid="102450409" hostid="261" sizebytes="850882"></div>One particularly deadly Russian mining tactic in northern Ukraine was the use of booby traps by Moscow's troops.First Lieutenant Maksym Trykur, who serves in the State Special Transport Service and translated Oleksandr's comments, told Insider that Russia would plant these around everyday items, including toys, furniture, kitchen utensils, and plates. In some cases, refrigerators were rigged to blow when opened. Oleksandr also witnessed the Russians place explosives in children's books. "It doesn't provide any tactical advantage," Trykur said. "That's just trying to cause as much damage as they can."Oleksandr returned from his latest mission just under two weeks ago, where he was helping to clear the area around a railroad bridge so it was safe for civilian construction workers to rebuild parts that were destroyed during active combat. This type of work underscores why the extensive mining is such a big challenge.Mining prevents the community from resuming their lives long after active combat is over, Trykur said. Mines in a field might detonate with children playing near them, and explosives left on the road could pose a supply or logistics issue, delaying stuff like medication, food, and postal service deliveries. <div type="image" title="A police sapper sorts unexploded mine shells and weapons after return from the village of Udy, after it was liberated by Ukrainian Armed Forces, in the Kharkiv region on September 12, 2022." height="3602" width="5065" msid="102450412" hostid="261" sizebytes="1575944"></div>But the issue has global implications as well, he added. Ukraine, often referred to as Europe's breadbasket, is a crucial <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-russia-reach-deal-allow-grain-exports-avoid-food-catastrophe-2022-7">supplier of grain</a> to the rest of the world, including countries in Africa and the Middle East. Mine contamination threatens the ability for farmers to actually grow their food, threatening to create a far-reaching crises. It's a problem that will stay with Ukraine for years because Russia has contaminated the country on such a massive scale, Oleksandr said. And Kyiv's sappers also lack some of the equipment necessary to be able to tackle such an immense problem, meaning they are more reliant on physical manpower.Much of the support Ukraine is receiving is focused on front-line combat. The US has provided upwards of $43 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion last year, including mine-clearing equipment and mine-resistant armored vehicles. But more is needed both on the lines and behind them.Milley, the top US general, said last month in the context of Ukraine's counteroffensive that the country's Western military backers still need to provide more support to help get rid of these <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-land-mines-booby-traps-trip-wires-maiming-ukrainian-troops-2023-7">death traps</a>."So the key thing is to focus on air defense, focus on the blocking-and-tackling sort of offensive combined arms maneuver, which is artillery, as both long-range and short-range artillery, and then get in your engineers and your mine-breaching equipment," he said. "That's the kind of stuff they need. That's what they want. That's what they're asking for."

Russia's planting mines everywhere, even cruelly hiding explosives in everyday items like fridges, toys, and children's books, Ukrainian military engineers say

State-owned <keyword id="3740158" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nlc-india-ltd" source="Orion">NLC India Ltd</keyword> on Monday said its board has approved raising up to Rs 5,000 crore through issuance of debentures in the ongoing financial year. The company's board has also approved a proposal for incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary company to take over the existing renewable assets. "The board of directors approved the following issuance of bonds in the nature of debentures up to Rs 5,000 crore in tranches during the FY 2023-24," the company said in a regulatory filing. Under the <keyword id="273072" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ministry-of-coal" source="Orion">Ministry of Coal</keyword>, <keyword id="3561351" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="nlc-india" source="Orion">NLC India</keyword> operates three opencast lignite mines having a total of capacity 30 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Neyveli in <keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword>, one opencast lignite mine at Barsingsar in Rajasthan with an installed capacity of 2.10 MTPA and an open cast coal mine at Talabira in Odisha with an installed capacity of 20 MTPA. The company is also into production of thermal as well as renewable energy-based power. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/ishan-kishan-named-as-kl-rahuls-replacement-for-indias-wtc-final-against-australia-suryakumar-ruturaj-among-stand-by-players/articleshow/100076400.cms">Ishan Kishan named as KL Rahul's replacement for India's WTC final against Australia; Suryakumar, Ruturaj among stand-by players</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ponniyin-selvan-ii-breaches-300-crore-mark-at-global-box-office/articleshow/100075893.cms">'Ponniyin Selvan II' breaches ₹300 crore mark at global box office</a>

You Searched For "ministry of mines" and got 9 results

CBI books Hindalco for corruption in green clearance for Talabira coal mining

PTI

Cabinet approves royalty rates for mining of 12 critical minerals

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Ukraine said it destroyed a Russian minesweeper. 'Another bad day for the Black Sea fleet' — ministry.

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Ukraine is now the 'most heavily mined country in the world,' defense minister says, as he pleads for more de-mining equipment

Sinéad Baker

Ukrainian forces snuck into Russia, raided military positions, and mined the only road in the area, Kyiv says

Jake Epstein

Ukraine says its special forces blew up a Black Sea mining platform in the night to throw off Russian drone operations

Jake Epstein

Jaiprakash Power Ventures, Avassa Ferro Alloys among successful bidders for commercial coal blocks

IANS

Russia's planting mines everywhere, even cruelly hiding explosives in everyday items like fridges, toys, and children's books, Ukrainian military engineers say

Jake Epstein

NLC India board approves raising up to ₹5,000 crore via bonds

PTI

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