Mines Dept to start process of seizing unaccounted ore
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: As the one month period given to traders to stake claim to the unaccounted iron ore expired on Monday, the Directorate of Mines and Geology will initiate the process to seize unaccounted ore lying at various jetties and plots by mid-week, after assessing the applications received from traders.
The directorate on October 17 had issued statutory notices to 40 traders after it was noticed that about 2.86 million tonnes (mt) of ore was lying at various plots, owned by these traders. Under the Goa (prevention of illegal mining, storage and transportation of mineral) Rules, 2013, notices were issued to traders directing them to submit their claims on the ore, failing which it would be confiscated.
Assistant Director Parag Nagarcekar said that department has received replies from the traders and that the exact number of applications received would be known only after two days. “We will start seizing ore lying at their plots only after assessing the applications received from the traders, mostly from Thursday. They need to show the source of ore and other documents proving that the ore is legal,” he said.
Nagarcekar said.currently 72 traders (29 mining firms) are registered with the department.
