The lease of Tata Steel’s Vijay-2 Iron Ore Mine, located in the Saranda forest, expired on 17th August 2025. The lapse has raised concerns not only within the company but also among thousands of workers, transporters, vendors and small businesses whose livelihood is based on the mine’s operations. According to an estimates, more than 1500 people are directly employed at the mine, while an additional 4000 to 5000 earn indirectly through contracts, transport and ancillary services. Around 600 trucks and vehicles are currently linked to cargo transport from the mine. Vendors engaged with Tata Steel, including BS Mining (300 workers), a local crusher unit (150 workers), Shri Sai Company (150 worker), and over 800 others are facing uncertainty on employment. Villagers fear rising joblessness could push youth towards illegal logging, mineral theft and crime.

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Tata Steel Urging Government for Lease Renewal
Tata Steel has appealed to the Jharkhand Government for renewal, but the process has been slowed by environmental clearance, forest law procedures, and the complexities of mineral lease extension. If the process will not resolved quickly, the region could witness a spiral of job losses, migration, business shutdowns and social unrest.
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