TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), that was appointed to recommend the optimal quantity of fresh mining that is suitable for Goa, has sought time till June to submit its final report. The institute will also do environment impact assessment in the micro-level study.
NEERI had submitted its interim report in February. The institute would be carrying out the environmental study over three periods — when mining was operational, when it was closed and when mining resumes.
Senior official confirmed that NEERI has sought time till June to submit its report to the government. “A six months time period was granted to NEERI to submit its report, which they have assured to submit by June end,” official said.
The NEERI team has sought data from all departments related to the mining business including Directorate of Mines and Geology, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Water Resources department and Forest Department.
“NEERI has also sought detailed information on the iron ore production, export and other data from the mining companies,” sources said, adding details from Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), a trade body, have been called for.
A two-member team comprising principal scientist A D Bhanarkar and K V George during their visit to Goa in the preliminary stages to do a ground reality check had interacted with all these departments, mine owners, GMOEA and petitioner-Goa Foundation.
NEERI has already collected data from the department about the number of operational mines in the state, number of valid mining leases, export and production figures, etc.
Government has already made it clear that pending this study, no fresh proposal for environmental clearances and no fresh production of iron ore from existing mines shall take place. The Supreme Court appointed capping committee in its report has recommended iron ore extraction cap from 20 million tons to 27.5 million tons annually.
