The Samaj Parivartan Samuday group said the court had rightly cancelled the mining leases of the worst offenders and laid stringent guidelines for the reopening of others.

WSJ: Court Eases Mining Ban in Karnataka

Yet the Kols found themselves ensnared in a new sort of servitude, woven by contractors with mining leases obtained from the raja (who still claims mining rights to 46 villages).

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He says the main reason why India remains under-explored is that mining leases and exploration licenses have not been given for large areas, even when there are indicative gold reserves.

BBC: Golden opportunity for old Indian mines

Another court decision Thursday was to cancel the leases of 49 Karnataka mines facing the most serious charges of illegal mining and land degradation.

WSJ: Court Eases Mining Ban in Karnataka

If a mining operation goes bust, Robertson keeps the coal and most of the equipment--and leases the mine to somebody else.

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