PANJIM: Let’s
keep this simple so that anyone who is not even connected to mining understands this as the finest example of illegal mining. Damodar Mangalji Company, (DMC) a known mining company, has disclosed production of almost 5.5 lakh tons of ore from two mines. But here’s a catch. No mining has ever taken place in these two mines. Nor are these two mines on the list of 119 operating mines under the Directorate of Mines Safety Goa and Maharashtra.
The Shah Commission, is watching the operations of this company with a hawk’s eye and is expected to clamp down heavily on them for illegalities. But does the Shah Commission know how grave their illegal actions are, which are nothing short of criminal?
This is the story of three violationsof the company. To begin with a strong indication of theft.
1.Dump working against government order
DMC operates one mine of R S Shetye in Pissurlem called Beulem Pissurlem TC 70/51 (On October 7 Herald reported on how this company is mining dumps againsta government order ).
2 “Mining” without an open mine?
There are two other adjoining mines which are owned by DMC called Bond Doncol Mine (lease number 2Fe/71 and Marsodo Mine (TC number 95/52). In a devious twist the company has not disclosed the opening of this mine. Google images with Herald plus authentic ground reports confirm that in both these mines, no mining activity has taken place. However, the Shah Commission in its findings on Group D mines, records that from 2005- 2010 onwards the Bond Doncol Minehas shown production of 3.93 lakhs tons, and the Marsodo Minea production of 5.32 lakh tons.
3Possible violation: No production but possible royalty
Herald is in the process of investigating whether royalty has been paid on this production. If so, this amounts to cheating, mining has not happened on these leases. So the quantity has obviously been brought from some other lease, in all likelihood, the adjoining R S Shetye lease.
4Mystery of the missing ore and indication of ore robbery
Further to the above, Herald feels that more theft could have taken place. Here’s why. The royalty payment details of the R S Shetye lease (all royalty challans with Herald) show that in 2010-11, the royalty paid on behalf of the lessee was for 3.78 million tons amounting to Rs 50.027 crore. But shockingly, sources close to the leaseholder said that he has released royalty of only 1.76 million tons. So where did the balance 2 million odd tons come from? This is the ore, one suspects was actually taken illegally from the lessee R S Shetye by the operator of the mine--DMC.
Not surprisingly, key officials who were in the know or should have been in the know of these developments either refused to speak or come on record. But documents in Herald’s possession confirm facts. Is DMC ready to challenge them?
