Ranchi: In a major action by the Jharkhand Department of Mines, licenses of 668 mineral dealers across the state have been suspended, while 960 licenses have lapsed due to non-compliance or expiry.
According to the department’s latest data, a total of 8,749 mineral dealers are currently active in the state. The suspended licenses include: 374 dealers involved in major minerals, 333 dealers dealing in minor (small) minerals
District-wise Suspensions: Chatra tops the list with 252 suspensions, Pakur – 53, Ramgarh – 49, Sahibganj – 49, Palamu – 35, Latehar – 34
License Lapses: 484 major mineral dealers, 506 minor mineral dealers
These actions are seen as part of the government’s stricter enforcement drive to ensure proper licensing and regulation in mineral trade and to curb illegal mining activities across the state.