Team Herald

PANJIM: The fate of six iron ore mining leases in Sonshi village, which faced suspension due to pollution, will be decided by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Wednesday.

However, the decision in the case of another six leases, that too faced similar action, would be based on the outcome of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) hearing scheduled on October 11, as the leases are alleged to be operational without valid environmental clearances.

Operations of 12 mining leases were suspended by the Board in April, following complaints of high pollution from the villagers and suo motu cognisance of this by the High Court of Bombay at Goa.

The GSPCB meeting scheduled on Wednesday will decide on granting Consent to Operate under the Air and Water Acts to the six leases. The meeting is following a green signal from the High Court that noted that there is some improvement in the pollution hazard.

The Board is expected to issue a set of directions to the lease holders based on the report submitted by the Indian School of Mines to curb the pollution. Lease holders would be also asked to implement some short term measures by September end.

The new mining season will commence in October, however there is no clarity as by when the fresh extraction will re-start.