Team Herald
PANJIM: The State has earned approximately Rs 48.13 crore through the e-auction of six lakh tonnes of iron ore during the eighth and ninth phases held on September 8 and 10, respectively. A total of 2.30 million tonnes of ore had been identified for auction during these two phases.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has identified 15 million tonnes of ore for e-auction, of which till date over seven million tonnes have been auctioned, fetching revenue of Rs 900 crore.
As per DMG, of the 92 lakh tonnes of ore identified for e-auction during the eighth phase, 2.1 lakh tonnes were sold at a bid price of Rs 15.13 crore. In the ninth phase, wherein 4.5 lakh tonnes of ore were sold of the identified 1.38 million tonnes, the government earned Rs 33 crore.
“The falling international market prices of low grade iron ore is one of the major reasons for lack of response to the e-auction,” a senior official said.
As per Supreme Court directives, of the revenue collected from e-auction, 10 percent has to be deposited in the Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund towards rehabilitation of people affected by mining activities.
DMG has also announced extraction cost of Rs 250 per tonne to mining leaseholders. The eleventh e-auction of ore lying at mining sites and jetties will be held on Tuesday, wherein 1.17 million tonnes of ore have been identified.
Ore lying in Codli, Sankhali, Cuddegal, Shigao, Sonus, Collem, Costi, Xelvona, Sulcorna, Dignem and Maina will be put on sale.
As per DMG records, of the seven million tonnes of ore auctioned, only 2.4 million tonnes have been transported, while the balance is still lying at jetties.
