Mining will resume in Goa in 6 months after auctioning of leases: CM Pramod Sawant
Sawant said that the process of auctioning leases will be completed within the next 5 months and mining activities will resume in 6 months.
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Panaji, July 20: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured state Legislative Assembly that the mining activities will resume in the state within six months after the auctioning of leases.
The CM said one lease holder will not be able to mine in more than 10 sq km area.
"This means a person can take a maximum of three leases (to cover 10 sq km area)," he said, adding that small leases can be taken over by local mine owners.
Replying to a question by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai, Sawant said that the process of auctioning leases will be completed within the next 5 months and mining activities will resume in 6 months.
At least 88 iron ore mining leases will be taken up for auctioning, he said. "The leases operating under one environment clearance (EC) will be considered as a single block for the purpose of auctioning," the chief minister said.
The ECs will be transferred to a new lease holder (who wins the bid) within 15 days, he said. "As per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, the ECs will be valid for two years and after that, the lease holder will have to renew the same,” he said.
"This means a person can take a maximum of three leases (to cover 10 sq km area)," he said, adding that small leases can be taken over by local mine owners.