Odisha state mining department would conduct hearing for miners in Koira circle and later issue demand notices to them.

The department recently completed hearing of all miners in the Joda sector who were imposed penalty for raising excess ore beyond the mining plan approved by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).

Earlier, around 20 miners challenged the state government's decision to impose a total penalty of Rs 65,492.73 crore on 104 errant lessees found guilty of extracting excess ore during 2001-10.The penalty was imposed on miners like Essel Mining, Tata Steel, Mid-East Integrated Steel Ltd, Indrani Patnaik, Rungta Mines and Serajuddin & Company to name a few.

The decision was challenged in the revision authority under Union mines ministry. Out of 104 lessees, 44 had were operating in the Joda circle.

These miners were penalised for raising minerals beyond their prescribed limit specified in the mining plan approved by (IBM) during 2006 to 2010.

The government had invoked Section 21 (5) of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) MMDR Act-1957 for recovering cost of production.

The Society for Geoscientists & Allied Technologists (SGAT) called the penalty demand on excess ore production as 'unjustified'. SGAT is a body dedicated to promotion of mineral development.