Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major blow to six iron ore mining leases from Sonshi village, whose operations were suspended in April for causing severe pollution in the vicinity, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) on Wednesday resolved to issue show cause notices to these mines, as they are alleged to be operational (in the past) without valid Environment Clearances (ECs).
The Board, which met on Wednesday evening, decided to grant Consent to Operate under Air and Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act to 19 mining leases, of which seven from Sonshi village, were facing action due to pollution. However, the consent to the mining leases in Sonshi is to be granted with a reduction in the annual ore extraction capacity.
The Board received 45 applications, of which six mines were granted consent to operate following submission of bank guarantees. The decision with regard to the other leases was kept in abeyance in the absence of bank guarantees. These included 13 mining leases from Sonshi village, the operation of 12 were suspended in April.
Sources confirmed that the Board has decided to issue show cause notices to mining leases belonging to RS Shetye, Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd, Sea Resources Ltd, Kunda Gharse, Sociedade Timblo Irmaod Ltd and VG Quenin, asking them to withdraw their application for consent and why the action should not be initiated for working without valid ECs.
In case of 19 mining leases, which are considered for grant of consent, the ECs were granted solely under the 2006 EIA notification.
Sources said that the consent to operate to these mines will be granted following submission of bank guarantees. “In case of Sonshi the consent to be granted with a recommendation to the Department of Mines for reduction in the extraction capacity,” sources said. The seven leases from Sonshi belongs to Vedanta Ltd, Sesa Goa Ltd, Cosme Costa, Sociedade De Fomento Industries Ltd (2 leases), Geetabala Parulekar and Kashinath Talaulikar.
The balance 12 leases include those of Chowgule & Com Pvt Ltd (3 leases – Costi and Pale), Narvekar Minerals (Costi), Panduronga Timblo Industries (2 leases- Borga), Pravin Kumar Gosalia (Betul-Quepem), Lithoferro (Betul-Quepem), Bandekar Bro (Pale), Madachem Bat Mines Pvt Ltd (Pale), a fresh lease for Matta-e-Dando Iron ore mines (Pale) and GN Agarwal (Cavrem).
Board has decided to lay down serious conditions in the Consent to ensure there is minimum pollution or no pollution in the mining affected areas.
