They also welcomed Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s statement that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) would revoke the suspended environment clearances (ECs) of mining leases imposed in September 2012.
While the industry players feel that lease holders should be taken into confidence while deciding the operation of leases in a phased manner, barge, truck and machinery owners have raised apprehensions over resumption of the activities this season.
Speaking to Herald, Sesa Goa vice president corporate affairs, A N Joshi, said that the Chief Minister’s announcement that MoEF will revoke the suspension on ECs within a week is much awaited news. “Any statement which talks of reinstatement of ECs is music to our ears,” he said refusing to comment on government decision to allow only 10 leases to operate in the first phase.
“Unless we know why the government intends to start mining operations in a phased manner, we would not like to comment,” he said.
On the other hand, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) secretary Glen Kalavampara said that the lease holders will have to be taken into confidence while deciding on the phase-wise operation of mining leases. At the same time, he feels that irrespective of how many leases would be allowed to operate in the first phase, resumption of mining activities at the earliest is needed. “Government has already renewed several mining leases and if they wish to give only a few of these permissions to operate in the first phase, then the lease holders will have to be taken into confidence,” he said. “Once mining operations resume, all the other issues can be looked into,” he said.
Kalavampara also pointed to the fact that the current mining industry is burdened with huge taxation, an issue that needs to be looked into before resuming operations.
“Considering the falling market prices, and with Goa having to once again establish itself (as an exporter) in the international market for its iron ore, government will have to regularize taxation,” he said.
Mine owner Harish Melvani also welcomed the government’s decision to resume mining operations this season. “All other issues can be settled later. Right now what is important is for the ECs’ suspension to be revoked and for mining to start,” he said.
On the other hand, barge, truck and machinery owners are worried whether mining companies will resume operations this season. “We are all looking forward to mining resumption but it will have to be seen whether lease holders are ready to operate mines in this season,” All Goa Barge Owners Association (AGBOA) president Atul Jadav said.
North Goa Truck Owners’ Association president Nilkant Gawas reacted similarly saying that the truck owners are waiting with their fingers crossed.
