Goa on the mode to resume mining in State

Panaji, May 15: In order to resume the mining activities in the state, CM Pramod Sawant has explored a way that is to conduct an e-auction of minerals lying at the site. This will help to provide relief to the dependents.

 

On Tuesday, CM Sawant held meeting with officials of Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) and stakeholders to explore options to provide a livelihood to the people dependent on the mining industry, by resuming the activities, which are halted since February 2018.

Chief Minister has directed the Mines Department to formulate policy to handle dumps by July so that the mining activities can be resumed. The iron ore rejects amounting to 750 million tonnes are lying in various leases, which the government now intends to handle it. “A proper policy will be drafted. Directions are issued to the Mines Department to prepare the policy by July. We want to ensure that mining activities resume,” CM Sawant said.

In a bid to handle the dumps, the government will have to obtain the Environmental Clearance from Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).

The Apex Court through a judgment dated February 7, 2018, set aside the second lease renewals granted to 88 mining leases while directing the Government to stop operations.

The government has already begun working with experts to find a legal solution for the current impasse on 88 mining leases arising out of the SC verdict.

The Goa government wants to resume the e-auction of balanced ore, which is lying at the site, extracted before the 2012 Supreme Court order. Of the total 15 million tonnes ore, half the ore is yet to be auctioned. Nearly 5 million tonnes of ore is yet to be auctioned.

The auction process was halted after Government found no takers for the low-grade ore, owing to declining international market prices and local issues.

The government will soon be filing its affidavit in Supreme Court in the abolition matter, stating that life of leases is considered from 1987.