PANJIM: Iron ore mining activities at Sonshi village in Sattari will continue to remain at a halt at least until May 15, as the meeting called by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to decide on the consent to operate of 12 mining leases on Saturday, stands deferred.
Mining activities at Sonshi are shut down since April 28, after GSPCB declined to grant consent to operate to 12 out of 13 mining leases operating there, after it observed that there is dust pollution in the vicinity arising from the mining activities.
The Board, under chairman Dharmendra Sharma, who is also Chief Secretary, was to meet on Saturday to conduct the analysis of the air monitoring data.
However, since the data report was not ready, the meeting has been deferred till May 15.
The Board has recently installed a full-fledged ambient air monitoring station at Sonshi. Also, mining companies had assured to take remedial measures to mitigate pollution.
The 12 leases, whose Consent to Operate have not been renewed belongs to Vedanta Ltd, Chowgules, Geetabai Parulekar, RS Shetye, Kunda Gharse, Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Pvt Ltd, Sociedade Fomento Pvt Ltd, Cosme Costa and Kashinath Talavlekar.
The only lease that has been allowed to operate, as its consent expires in August is that belonging to V G Quenim.
