Following the issuance of Consent to Establishment (CTE) by the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB), the AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) is moving fast to begin mining of iron ore at Konijedu and Marlapadu villages in Prakasam district with its joint venture partner AP JSW Steel Limited (JSWSL). Issued by APPCB Member-Secretary S. Sri Saravanan, the CTE is valid for seven years from the date of issue — May 1, 2026. The APPCB’s Consent to Operate is awaited and is expected by the end of this year. A senior APMDC official told The Hindu that as per previous data, the Konijedu-Marlapadu area had around 60 million tonnes of iron ore reserves, and that detailed exploration was in progress. The plant site is to be selected as per Central Pollution Control Board guidelines in consultation with the District Forest Officer.