Sesa Goa on Thursday approached the Supreme Court challenging the ban imposed by the Karnataka government on transport and export of iron ore.
A bench headed by Justice R V Raveendran sought reply from the state government as to why it should not be asked to revoke the ban. Last month, Baldota group-owned mining firm MSPL had moved the apex court against the ban.
MSPL had complained that 6,42,706 tonne of iron was lying unutilised in its premises due to the government?s refusal to issue a mineral dispatch permit.
The state government had issued the twin orders in a bid to curb illegal mining, transportation and storage of iron ore in the state for export, especially to China, where demand for low-grade iron ore in the form of fines and pellets is huge.
The mining companies have challenged the the Karnataka High Court that upheld the state government orders of July 26, 2010, and July 28, 2010, banning transport of iron ore and its exports from 10 minor ports.