After nearly two years of ban, as many as ninety mines of the Category A and B will reopen in Karnataka, thanks to the Supreme Court of India's recent ruling.

A forest bench comprised of Justice Aftab Alam, Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice Ranjan Gogoi allowed on Thursday allowed reopening of the Category A and B mines, while at the same time directing closing of Category C mines permanently.

The bench gave nod for reopening of 27 Category A and 63 Category B mines, subject to certain conditions, including adherence to the rehabilitation plans. But, the apex court cancelled 49 leases in category C mines in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of the state.

A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had categorized the mines in the A, B and C categories. The mines with least/no illegalities were categorized as `A,' while mines with maximum illegalities were categorized as `C'.

Basant Poddar, vice president of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), welcomed the apex court's decision.

Commenting on the development, Poddar said, "We are very happy with (Thursday's) the verdict as corporate and responsible mining companies are going to gain and corrupt and illegal mining operations have been rooted out."

S R Hiremath, President of Samaj Parivarthan Samudaya, who had filed a PIL in the apex court on illegal mining in Karnataka, also welcomed the ruling.