TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: An interim order on putting the annual cap on volume of iron ore to be extracted in Goa is likely to be passed by the Supreme Court on Monday, April 21.
The Court in its early hearing on March 27 had reserved the order on putting the annual cap on the extraction of iron ore, despite its appointed expert panel recommending that mining up to 20 to 27.5 million tonnes annually be allowed in Goa.
The three-member bench had stated that whatever they decide in the judgement will be subject to the final report of the panel.
The six-member expert panel has suggested that it was not ‘desirable’ to start fresh extraction of iron ore. The panel in its interim report said that there is large scale degradation of eco-system in the state by mining and the restoration needs timely monitoring.
The Supreme Court had on October 5, 2012 suspended mining activities in Goa.
