Notices to 170 mining firms

BELLARY: A day after the Supreme Court ordered suspension of mining operations in the district, the administration on Saturday served notices to all 170 mining companies to halt operations.Sources said the authorities asked all mine owners to comply with the directive.The apex court had on Friday ordered immediate suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district, stating that “over-exploitation” of the area has caused large-scale environmental degradation.The court passed the order by taking note of the report of the Central Empowered Committee, which said miners in the region were indulging in illegal mining.