PANJIM: Amidst the crisis in Sonshi, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) has conceded that ferrying iron ore does cause dust pollution to a certain extent even as it raised concerns about the position where the Ambient Air Monitoring Stations (AAMS) have been located. The apex exporters’ body has also sought re-starting mining operations at Sonshi arguing that companies should not be penalised for faulting readings.
“Clearing dust pollution requires some time but we felt certain things can be done immediately and there are good roads whose shoulders have heaps of dust. When the trucks move along this road, it does raise some dust. To curb these we came up with solutions. One of it was engaging mechanised sweepers,” GMOEA Secretary Glen Kalavampara said.
He said that sweepers work at a slow pace and at critical areas like Sonshi, Sanvordem and other places, mining companies deployed sweepers even before the government’s directions.
The association also proposed phasing out 10 tonne capacity trucks for higher capacity which would reduce the footprint on the environment by 50 percent, besides bypass-roads to avoid crossing residential areas. “If we need to control dust, we can’t have smaller efficient modes of transport that create congestion. Mining companies have always supported less of polluting transporting activities. This will not happen overnight though,” he added.
As part of the long term plan shared with Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the association has proposed dedicated transport corridors. “We need to find a suitable route from the mines to the jetties,” he stated.
GMOEA is also upset with GSPCB’s approach towards the Sonshi mining issue, and has raised concerns about the position where the AAMS are installed.
“Any placement of stations has to be as per the CPCB rules. It has to be at representative locations. At Sonshi, the core and buffer areas are relatively close to each other. Both have different norms and have to be placed at a certain distance from each other, as per the CPCB norms,” Kalavampara said adding, “When they (Board) spoke of additional stations, we agreed but also requested to select proper locations, not based on emotions, but scientific norms.”
During a joint meeting, GMOEA suggested transparency in the process with details of the monitoring site readings to be shared with mining companies, and maintenance and calibration of the machines put in place for monitoring. “In absence of these, it would give erroneous reading,” Kalavampara said.
The association has urged that the Board consider conducting operations in the mines which are within permissible limits. “If there is any problem in transportation, than allow mining only, many things need to be done before the monsoon arrivals,” he said.
