TEAM HERALD
NEW DELHI: After a long gap, the Goa mining case is back on the cause list of the forest bench of the
Supreme Court for a hearing on Wednesday.
The Bench has, however, not yet concluded the day-to-day hearing in the Karnataka mining cases and
as such it may consider only the pending applications in the Goa matter on Wednesday. Lawyers
appearing in the case, however, expect regular hearing in the matter to start any time now.
In between, the 3-judge bench entertained an interlocutory application moved by mining firm Cosme
Costa & Sons and disposed it of, allowing pumping of water from its mine for safety purposes.
Though all mining activities have been stayed in Goa as per the court’s October 5 order, the Bench
clarified in its order on March 19 that the stay “shall not stand in the way of the mining lessee in
pumping out water from its mine and taking all measures for the safety of the mine and the
surrounding areas under the guidance of the Directorate-General of Mines Safety, Goa Region.”
The order, however, is specific for the mine of Cosme Costa & Sons and not general applicable to all
mines in the state. Others fearing damage to their mines may also move applications on Wednesday
when the case comes up for hearing. The Supreme Court was shut whole of this week on account of
Holi and Good Friday and reopens on Monday.
