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Ministry of Mines approved a S&T Project in 1998 titled 'Study of Pollution Level in Asbestos Mines and processing plants in Rajasthan. It was undertaken by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), a subordinate office of the Ministry. It was to assess the feasibility of lifting the ban on expansion of asbestos mining through a scientific study of pollution level in asbestos mines and processing plants in Rajasthan and in Andhra Pradesh and to suggest appropriate mitigation measures. The study recommended that the ban imposed on grant and renewal of mining leases and expansion of mining may be lifted subject to control of pollution level in work environment of various operations and other remedial measures.
Recommendations of the study have been examined in consultation with all stakeholders. Some stakeholders have suggested that asbestos mining can be permitted with appropriate safeguards. IBM in consultation with Central Pollution Control Board has been asked to work out these safeguards. At present, the ban on mining of asbestos has not been lifted.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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