Following rumours that a special team is visiting the taluk to check illegal mining activities, several quarries in Pandavapura taluk had shut their operations on Wednesday.
The quarry owners were said to have shifted all the machinery used for mining on Tuesday night around Bebibetta forest area. On Wednesday, there was no mining in the region.
It may be mentioned that the Mines and Geology department had levied a fine of Rs 90 lakh on 18 companies as the allegations of illegal mining were proved. The STG Company owned by MP C S Puttaraju was fined Rs 40 lakh.
Senior scientist of Mines and Geology department Nagabushan said, he had no information about the visit of special team. As the allegations of illegal mining had been proved, the owners have voluntarily closed the mines, he said.
Published 12 July 2017, 19:04 IST