Team Herald
PANJIM: After missing out nearly five months of the new season, iron ore mining activities in Sonshi in Sattari taluka, which were suspended since April 2017, are expected to resume operations next month. Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has decided to grant Consent to Operate to all 12 mining leases, while imposing a 25 percent reduction in the iron ore transportation.
The 12 mining leases include the six mines that had obtained environment clearance under the 1994 EIA notification with a relevant five-year expiry and had been extended later without following due procedure.
A senior GSPCB official said the decision to grant consent to the mining leases was taken during the 128th and 129th Board meetings but was kept pending due to certain recommendations from the Directorate of Mines and Geology.
“Now that DMG has made its recommendation of 25 percent reduction in iron ore transportation from Sonshi cluster, we will issue Consent to Operate to all 12 mines within a month. Mining can resume anytime next month in the village,” the official said adding, “Stringent conditions will be laid while granting the consent to ensure no pollution or to mitigate pollution if any.”
The Board has also obtained bank guarantees from all 12 mining leases towards no pollution.
The mining leases belong to RS Shetye, Vedanta Ltd, Socideade De Fomento Industries, Geetabala Parulekar, Cosme Costa, Chowgule Ltd, Sesa Resources, Kunda Gharse, Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Limitda and Sem Denominaco.
Directorate of Mines had recommended a 25 per cent reduction in ore transportation along Sonshi and mandated transportation along the alternative route as per the Plan of Action (PoA) submitted by the mining firms. The department had, however, stated it that would not be prudent to cap the extraction limit of those mines.
Mining activity in Sonshi had kicked up much dust and controversy last year with villagers complaining of severe air and water pollution. The situation aggravated after 45 villagers, who had blocked mining transportation in protest of the bad air quality, had been arrested. The High Court too had taken suo-motu cognisance of the matter.
