Bauxite mining under laterite permits in Karnataka draws calls for scrutiny

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A forest and environmental organisation has urged the Karnataka government to scrutinise and investigate the alleged extraction and transportation of aluminous laterite, or bauxite-bearing laterite, under laterite mining permits in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India.

The Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change (Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha) has urged the authorities to examine mining activities in areas such as Mudipu and Badaga Edapadavu.

The issue has been raised over concerns that the current classification of the material being transported may not accurately reflect its mineral composition.

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Addressing reporters, the organisation's secretary, Benedict Fernandes, claimed that trucks transporting aluminous laterite were being documented as carrying ordinary laterite in official invoices.

"The name 'laterite' is generally used in common parlance as laterite stones meant for building constructions and not as soil. Everyone in Dakshina Kannada, including authorities, knows that what is being mined is aluminous laterite and not laterite," he said.

According to the organisation, if the extracted material qualifies as bauxite or aluminous laterite under mineral classification norms, it could have implications for royalty collection, regulatory compliance and environmental oversight.

The forum also expressed concerns that such practices, if established, may lead to revenue losses and weaken the regulatory framework governing major minerals.

Seeking government intervention, the organisation recommended a comprehensive review of all active laterite mining leases in Dakshina Kannada. It proposed laboratory testing of representative samples from each mine to determine alumina content and establish whether the extracted material should be classified as aluminous laterite or bauxite.

The forum further requested that authorities verify compliance with applicable mining regulations and temporarily halt operations pending the investigation outcome.

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