Thakurani Mine Dispute Resolved—AMNS Accepts Demands, 15-Day Protest Called Off

Barbil — After 15 days of continuous protest in front of the AMNS Mittal Thakurani Iron Ore Mine, the agitation led by local transport contractors and residents has officially ended. The company has issued a written agreement accepting all major demands raised by the stakeholders, bringing relief to the mining transport community and surrounding villages.

The protest began when the Mining Department seized two trucks and transferred them to Barbil police station, alleging grade manipulation—claiming that iron ore with 61% Fe content was falsely reported as 58%.

Truck owners, who were not involved in the alleged misreporting, faced detention and financial loss. In response, Manish Jaiswal, head of Keshav Enterprises, along with Ram Kumar, Raj Kumar Gunwant, Inderdev Yadav, Dharam Yadav, Raja Gupta, Shakti Singh, MD Siraj, Bishnu Prasad, Sonu Mishra and others mobilized local residents to stage a sit-in at the mine gate, halting all dispatch operations.

Following negotiations, AMNS Mining Operations (Ref. No: AMNS/1049/2025-2026) agreed to implement the following measures:

– Road Repairs: Maa Thakurani Service Agency has been appointed to repair and maintain the dispatch road from the mine exit to Nalda.

– Parking Plaza Development: A dedicated parking area will be constructed near the mine, equipped with drinking water, first aid, lighting, and rest facilities for drivers.

– Local Employment: The company will prioritize hiring local youth in accordance with statutory norms and CSR commitments.
– Ambulance Services: One Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance is already operational for five villages—Dalki, Belkundi, Tankura, Kara-Kolha and Nalda. A second ambulance will be added soon.
– Truck Detention Compensation: AMNS has agreed to compensate truck owners for detention losses at Barbil police station based on actuals.

The company’s representatives, including Logistics Head Jay Kishan Sharma and other officials, signed the agreement after discussions with community leaders.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Mines Dinesh Agrawal confirmed that a show-cause notice has been issued to AMNS, Thakurani Mines regarding repeated allegations of grade misreporting and tax evasion. He stated that the company’s response is under review and appropriate penalties will be imposed on Monday as per government regulations.

The resolution of the protest marks a significant moment for the mining region, highlighting the power of collective action and the importance of transparency in industrial operations. Participants have warned that if similar issues arise again, they will not hesitate to resume agitation.