TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Directorate of Mines and Geology has refused to renew the mining lease of one Zacarias Antano located at Potrem village in Sanguem taluka after it was observed that the lease falls within the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
The mine was operational under deemed provision, even though it has applied for first renewal under Mines and Minerals Development Regulation (MMRD) Act 1957, before the due date of November 22, 1988. However, since it was not granted any renewal consent, the mine continued to operate under deemed extension as per Mineral Concession Rule, 1960.
The first renewal ended on November, 22, 2007 and as per the MMRD Act, State government has the powers to grant renewal of lease beyond first renewal, if it forms the opinion that such renewal is in the interest of mineral development and if the second renewal is necessary then government can grant further renewal upto 20 years.
“In the larger interest of protection of environment, the State government is of the opinion that it may not be necessary to grant further renewal of mining bearing TC No 55/53, even if the same is in the interest of mineral development,” the order issued by Director Mines Prasanna Acharya reads.
“As such your application for second renewal dated November 10, 2006 in respect of the lease is hereby rejected and the lease is declared to have lapsed and determined with effect from November 22, 2007,” the order added.
As per the department record, the forest department TC No 16/0 of the village forms part of the lease and it is not separated from the lease area with any natural boundary. The TC No 16/0 falls within Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
