Team Herald
PANJIM: Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) on Wednesday began an extensive exercise to cover non-working iron ore mining leases as part of implementing the Supreme Court’s recent judgement. There are 32 non-working leases that were granted second renewals by the government in 2014-15.
Four teams constituted by DMG have started inspections to cover non-working mines in the State. These are mines which were granted second renewals by the government along with extraction quota, but failed to resume operations owing to various reasons.
The exercise which commenced on Wednesday has to be completed before March 15. “The inspection teams are at the sites ensuring that all the non-working mines are covered. This is part of Supreme Court order dated February 7, implementation,” senior official at the department said.
As many as 89 mining leases were granted second renewal, of which 88 were granted between November 2014 and January 2015. The Supreme Court in its recent judgment quashed second renewals while directing the lease holders to stop operations after March 15.
As per information from DMG, of the 89 leases, 32 were amalgamated into 12 leases (lease holders) as they were located adjacent to one another and had common Environment Clearance (EC). After amalgamation, there were 69 leases.
Currently there are 37 working leases and 32 non-working. The working leases have to stop ore extraction activities by 6pm on March 13.
As per the latest data, the 37 mining leases have produced 10.19 million tonnes of ore for the current financial year 2017-18, while the total revenue collection is Rs 476.70 crore, which includes Rs 246.73 crore as royalty.
For the ongoing financial year, the mining players have contributed Rs 156.70 crore to the Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund, Rs 68.74 crore towards the District Mineral Fund and Rs 4.53 crore towards the National Mineral Exploration Trust.
DMG in a circular issued on Tuesday, banned iron ore transportation activities after 6pm from March 14. The lease holders have been directed to clear the site of all immovable machineries by March 15.
