Team Herald
PANJIM: The iron ore mining sector, currently under suspension, has said that all necessary safety measures as part of the monsoon preparedness have been taken at lease sites.
“The concerned authorities, that is, Director General for Mines Safety as well as the Goa State Pollution Control Board have inspected all 88 mines for monsoon preparedness. We are informed that DGMS has reported that all measures required to be taken till March 15, 2018 had been undertaken by the concerned mines and reports are submitted to the State government,” Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) Secretary Glenn Kalvampara said in a statement on Thursday.
“Similarly, GSPCB too has submitted its inspection report to the government. Certain works which are generally necessitated on onset of monsoon, including specific garland drains to channelise rain water towards pits and pumping of water from pits, are expected to be investigated during further inspections during rainy season,” he added.
Kalvampara said the State, along with the authorities concerned, are keeping close watch on safety measures initiated or in process of being initiated ahead of the monsoon.
“However, under the guidance and supervision of various authorities, the effort from the concerned lease holders to keep a watch on such safety measures due to the uncertainty of precipitation during monsoons and act as guided by the authorities is creditable,” he added.
GMOEA further said that since mining activities are closed, case specific requirements of mobilising man and machine in the mine during monsoons for the purpose of undertaking safety works may be authorised by the government.
Mining activities in the State are under suspension following the Supreme Court order dated February 7.
