Mining exports may take a hit
SHWETA KAMAT
PANJIM, JAN 12
Goa’s mining exports are expected to dip by almost 10 per cent this season with factors like the ban on ore transportation by Karnataka, flash strike by truckers and the prolonged monsoon playing spoilsport for this multi-crore industry.
Glen Kalavampara, secretary, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) told Herald that the seasonal export was unlikely to touch last year’s mark and would be 10 per cent lower compared to last year.
“Karnataka ore has stopped coming since the last two months, there are local strikes by the truck owners while the over-stretched monsoon too has added to the woes of the mining industry”, Kalavampara said.
The mining truck operators in the State are on strike since December 27, 2010 demanding hike in freight rates. Though companies like Fomento and Sesa Goa have hiked rates, others are yet to take a decision.
“We have already raised the issue with the Transport Department asking them to sort out the problem”, Kalavampara said.
Ore exports from Goa had touched a historic 53 mt (million tonne) mark in the last season which comprised of 45 mt ore extracted from the State. The rest was from Karnataka.
As per the Government figures, a total of 28 mt ore had been exported from the State till December 2010.
Kalavampara denied that charging ad-valorem royalty on the ore had resulted in the projected decline in the export of iron ore.
“The issue is not of ad-valorem royalty. The miners and exporters want that it should not be uniform. The royalty should be charged as per the grade of the ore”, he said
The prices vary depending on the grades but when it comes to royalty it is uniform, the secretary lamented.
Stating that the entire Goan ore is below 62 degree grade, Kalavampara said “there should be slabs for ore grade and accordingly royalty should be charged”.
Goan mine owners have already made a representation on this to the Union Mines Ministry and the Centre seems to be convinced, Kalavampara said
Goa has collected Rs 536 crore in the form of royalty till December 2010 and is expected to surpass the target of Rs 600 crore projected by Government in the last budget.
The exporters also feel that the State should hasten the process of issuing NOCs that are required before ship leaves the port.
The problem is with consignments leaving from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) as they are asked to get the NOCs.
He said, the Mining Department officials are likely to meet MPT bosses this week and sort out the matter.
