PANJIM: Hours after the State’s leading mining company Vedanta announced resumption of iron ore mining activity at its Codli mine on Monday, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar appealed to mine owners to ensure that the industry commences operations in October this year.
“I would appeal to mine owners that even though the international market is not stable for Goa’s low grade ore, mining may be resumed in October this year, in the interest of State, workers and to eradicate unemployment,” Parsekar said on the Floor of the House. (Related report on Pg 10)
When the State Legislative Assembly session began Monday, Parsekar informed the House about Vedanta’s resumption of activities at the Codli mine. “The company has said that actual iron ore production will begin after the monsoon season,” he said.
Parsekar said the government has already announced that mining would resume in October this year.
The Chief Minister admitted that the State has gone through a difficult phase with closure of the mining industry in the last three years. “This House was unanimous that the mining industry should resume. I have appealed to mine owners last week to ensure that mining resumes in October. Government made all the necessary efforts,” he said.
After a gap of three years, Sesa Goa, a subsidiary of Vedanta announced resumption of mining in Goa. Parsekar formally launched mining operations at Sesa Goa’s Codli mines on Monday. The site is termed as Asia’s largest with an annual iron ore production of 3.1 million tonnes. Parsekar said resumption of mining is an indication of “acche din”.
