PANJIM: Iron ore mining lease holders, whose leases are set to expire in March 2020, have to undertake exploration of their entire potentially mineralised area by December 2018 as part of Final Mining Closure Plan (FMCP) proposed by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM). In Goa, 174 leases have been identified for auction in 2020.
IBM, which has released fresh guidelines for mining closure exclusively for leases expiring on March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2030, has banned further dumping of waste or rejects on the potential mineralised area.
FMCP, in respect of leases expiring on March 31, 2020, should be submitted separately on or prior to March 31, 2018 apart from the Mining Plan document which may be in existence for the lease area. Similarly, for leases expiring on March 31, 2030 or after completion of 50 years period from the date of grant of mining lease, FMCP should be submitted two years prior to the expiry of the lease.
“These guidelines are applicable only for those leases where mineral has not been exhausted and the area may be available for auction in future,” IBM said in its document.
FMCP should indicate the total mineral reserves/resources available UNFC category wise in the lease area estimated in the last approved mining plan document.
“The area having mineralisation should be secured for any future considerations (no backfilling/dumping of waste should be done on mineralized area),” IBM said.
Along with in-situ, if any, mineralised dump, mineral rejects stack is available at the mine site, it should also be secured and quantum and grade for the mineral in the dump/stack should be mentioned. “No further dumping on the potential mineralised area shall be allowed,” it added.
The Union Mines Ministry has identified 88 blocks for auction till 2020, of which 33 blocks have already been auctioned.
In Goa 174 iron ore mining leases have been identified for auction in 2020. This is, however, subject to the Supreme Court decision on a petition to set aside the Goa Abolition Act 1987. If the Act is abolished, all leases would revert to concessions extending their life span till 2037.
