TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: For the first time, the mining stakeholders-mining companies, environmentalist, mining dependent and people affected with mining activities, congregated under one roof at the Goa University complex on Wednesday, to discuss about the economic, social and environmental impact of mining industry-before closer and post September 2012.
A symposium on “prudent mining” – how mining should be dealt in a prudent way, organised by GU was chaired by Prof Madhav Gadgil, ecologist and D D Kosambi, visiting research professor of GU. The symposium saw stakeholders castigating government over failing to put in place proper infrastructure for mining and worries over Goa losing its international market for low grade iron ore.
Along with Gadgil, the symposium was attended by former Sesa Goa managing director P K Mukherjee, environmentalist Dr Claude Alvares, Ramesh Gawas, expert P F X D’Lima, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) Executive Director S Sridhar, people from mining areas and others.
Gadgil, the key speaker of the symposium accused government of suppressing the report on assessing quality of environmental impact assessment (EIA) that had exposed the environmental parameters which have not been considered at all while granting mining leases. He also castigated government on “no information” or “lack of information” on the extract of environment destruction and loss taken place in the mining rich areas due to rampant mining over the decades.
On the other hand, D’Lima highlighted the fact that Goa has lost its sole international market for low iron ore grade – China, with mining countries like Brazil and Australia taking over. He also pointed out that closure of mining industry has had its impact on nearly 25 per cent of population and that government should take some immediate steps to looking into these social problems.
Both the experts, while supporting resumption of mining activity, were of the strong view that the “past mistakes” should not be repeated. They warned the government to take proper regulatory measures to ensure that there is sustainable mining.
Environmentalist Ramesh Gawas, who has fought many battles against illegal mining, also said that he has no problem with sustainable resumption of mining provided the damage is restored and there are proper regulatory measures in place to curb illegal mining.
The iron ore producers and exporters – Sesa Goa and GMOEA, raised worry over decreasing international value of low-grade iron ore. They also slammed the government for failing to decide on how to allocate 20 million tons capping and the mining leases, which are proposed for renewal.
Never-ending greed took over mining industry: PK Mukherjee
PANJIM: “The never-ending greed took over the mining industry, resulting into mass scale illegalities,” admitted P K Mukherjee, former managing director of Sesa Goa.
The admission came in an open forum, which was attended by renowned ecologist like Prof Madhav Gadgil and other stakeholders from the mining sector.
Mukherjee admitted that never-ending greed of people from the mining industry took over the industry putting it in complete shambles. “The greed was responsible for illegal mining and its aftermath,” he said.
He also raised concern that even if the iron ore mining activities resume, Goa has no market left to export its low grade iron ore (58 Fe), whose value in the international market has crumbled down to $60-70. “The slashing international prices and the heavy taxation, leaves no business for mining players,” he said.
