Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Mineral Ore Exporter’s Association (GMOEA), the apex industrial body, has appealed to the Centre for resumption of iron ore mining activities in the State in a bid to improve and strengthen the socio-economic condition, which has been hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fresh extraction of iron ore has been stalled in the State since March 16, 2018; while transportation of the already mined cargo is been permitted by the Supreme Court from January, this year.
“At present it is not possible to restart the tourism industry unless the contagion is overcome globally. However, mining can be undertaken even during the present period of lockdown with certain safety procedures and practices as per directions of Ministry of Health Affairs,” said GMOEA President Ambar Timblo in a press statement.
“In this pandemic situation where the world economic fallout is inevitable, there is an urgent need to resume mining activities in the Goa so that the socio-economic condition in the state can be stronger,” he added.
Timblo said that all along the mining industry has always been at the highest level of compliances. “Goa is a model State in India in regard to Mining. The reputation damage on our industry has been consistently caused by false and un-substantive allegations by vested interest groups,” he claimed.
The Mine owner said that despite not being permitted to work for 70 of the last 96 months, the industry has still paid stamp duties, Land Revenue conversion payments, together in excess of 1500 crores , another Rs 700 crores towards District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund (GIOPF) and Foreign Exchange of over USD 1 Billion.
“Goa is uniquely positioned for the immediate resumption of operations as all workforce, infrastructure, and relevant statutory clearances are in place. This is a result of most mining companies continuing to meet their compliances from safety, environmental and health stand point in compliance with numerous orders issued by the centre and the state,” GMOEA said.
GMOEA further said that the recent outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in the country has further worsened the economic and employment situation of Goa because of sudden drop in tourists coming to the State.
