The Bailadila range is the hub of iron ore mining in Chhattisgarh. Currently, there are 14 identified iron ore deposits, of which one is Deposit-10 located in the Bacheli Complex in Dantewada district. The National Mineral Development Corporation Limited (NMDC) operates this mine spread over an area of 309.34 hectares. 

In 2014, NDMC, India’s largest iron ore producer, proposed to increase the capacity of the mine from the existing 4.2 metric tonne per annum (MTPA) to 6 MTPA. Consequently, protests erupted after the residents of over 20 villages came together to oppose the expansion. 

The villagers became fearful of the impact of the mining activities on their agricultural lands, water bodies and forest area, on which they depend for their livelihood. Reportedly, the region is also of religious significance to the majority Gond tribe living in the area.  

The concerns of the villagers also stem from their experience of mining operations in the surrounding villages. They have alleged that layers of dust settle on agricultural fields and iron ore particles flow into the streams, which affects the soil productivity and contaminates the water bodies. They also claim that the agricultural land is turning infertile due to the red water problem. According to local reports, the tribespeople worry the expansion of the iron ore mine would worsen the water and air pollution and land degradation. The lease area demarcated for the expansion also falls under the Bailadila Reserve Forest, which endangers the rich biodiversity of the region. 

In December 2015, the villagers united under the banner of Sanyukt Panchayat Jan Sangharsh Samiti to protest against the public hearing that was scheduled to be organised by the nodal office of the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB). A local newspaper reported that the villagers did not receive any communication about the public hearing and that it was being organised at a considerable distance from the affected villages to prevent large-scale participation. Following this, the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan issued a letter demanding cancellation of the public hearing citing discrepancies and misinformation in the EIA report for the proposed expansion. Finally on December 29, the district collector issued a notice to cancel the meeting after continued protests. 

On 15 November 2016, the administration once again organised a public hearing for the project. This time too, the villagers claimed that they did not get any prior information about the hearing and identified procedural discrepancies in violation of the PESA Act, 1996. They reiterated their concerns about the expansion plan and persistent problems related to pollution and the impact on lands and livelihoods. 

Subsequently, the village representatives submitted a petition to the CECB and held a meeting with the district collector on November 16 to voice their discontent and demand action.

Amidst the opposition, the NMDC published the final Environmental Impact Assessment report in February 2017. According to the report, an action plan was formulated based on the issues raised during the public hearing held in November 2016. 

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change granted environmental clearance to the project on July 7, 2017. 

In June 2019, an 8-day agitation was held by residents after the mining contract for the Bailadila mine number 13 in Dantewada district was given to Adani Group. Secretary of Joint Panchayat Jan Sangharsh Samiti, Raju Bhaskar, alleged that a "fake" Gram Sabha fraudulently approved the move to hand over the mine to private hands in violation of PESA law. Protestors said that acres of forest area earmarked for mining activities in Deposit 13 is the abode of the deities of the tribals and that they will not let it be destroyed at any cost.

After the protest by the tribals, the state government banned mining activities in Deposit Number 13 of Bailadila area and assured that it would investigate the proceedings of the Gram Sabha and take action against those who are guilty.

Angered by the delay in receiving an investigation report till December 2019, the tribals once again started preparing for agitation. Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy extended the mining lease of four deposits, including Deposit-10, for another 20 years. The residents of different villages in the Bailadila range continue to protest.

In March 2020, a Chhattisgarh government probe revealed that no gram sabha consent had been given to NMDC-Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (NCL) for iron ore mining on Bailadila Hill. The government issued a show-cause notice to NMDC asking why the second stage clearance for forest land allotted for an iron ore project in Dantewada’s Bailadila Hill should not be cancelled.

In September 2023, the NMDC-CMDC Ltd (as joint venture company NCL) terminated the iron ore mining services agreement signed with Adani Enterprises Ltd, saying it had not taken essential steps toward achieving the conditions and objectives specified in the contract.