After two years of a complete halt in mining, the process to restart mining operations in the State commenced with the government renewing 13 mining leases in early November. This was followed by more renewals.
The renewals were carried out after an order from the Directorate of Mines and Geology under section 8 (3) of MMDR (Mines and Minerals [Development and Regulations]) Act, read with 24 (A) of mineral concession rule 1960 and rule 63 (A) (C) and section 20 of MMDR act.
However, extraction (of iron ore) will start only after the companies whose leases have been renewed obtain necessary Environment Clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, Air and Water Pollution Act clearance from the Goa State Pollution Control Board and mining plan approval from Indian Bureau of Mines.
According to the order, the renewals were based on the State’s mining lease renewal policy and as per orders of the Supreme Court and High Court of Bombay at Goa.
While each mining lease will be allowed a certain quantum of iron ore to be extracted, the State government has reserved the right to cap the extraction at individual level irrespective of the EC (environmental clearance) limits.
