PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology on Monday submitted analysis report to the High Court of Bombay at Goa stating that the quantity of gold in iron ore samples at the Pissurlem mines was below its detection limit.
Director of Mines and Geology Dr Suresh Shanbhogue filed the affidavit along with the analysis report conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Bengaluru.
The petitioner NGO Goa Foundation in its public interest petition (PIL) writ petition had claimed the presence of gold in the iron ore.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology collected samples of iron ore and sent it to the GIS, Bengaluru for testing and analysis regarding the presence of gold at the Pissurlem mines. The report received from the GSI stated that there the presence of gold was below the detection limit.
It is learnt that the petitioner had attached the testing report done from a private laboratory at Mumbai claiming presence of gold in the iron ore.
It may be recalled that Goa University researcher had also claimed traces of gold in iron ore mines in the State.
Following the submission of the analysis report by the Directorate of Mines and Geology, the petitioner sought to withdraw the petition and subsequently the High Court disposed it.
