TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Directorate of Mines and Geology on Wednesday granted a blanket no objection certificate to all mining companies for dewatering/pumping of water from mining pits, for agriculture, drinking, horticulture or as safety measures, by declaring that there is no need for the mining companies for approaching its office for such NOC.
The Mines department, earlier this month had issued NOCs to villagers of Surla and Pale-Cottambi to pump out water from the mining pits of V G Quenim Sonshi Mine, Sesa Goa Ltd’s Soliye Mine and Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd for agricultural and horticultural purpose.
Following a series of requests from villagers and mining companies, the department Wednesday issued an order that “there is no need for the mining companies for approaching this office for NOC for dewatering/pumping of water from mining pits for agriculture, drinking or horticulture or for safety”.
However, the department said that such permissions shall be restricted to activities spelt out above and shall not be used for other mining activities, which shall be in contempt or violation of Supreme Court order dated October 5, 2012.
The Supreme Court order bans mining activities and transportation of mining ore or mines mineral from the mine head or stockyard, the department said.
“Various mining companies, upon request from the people were allowing use of water accumulated in mining pits or leases by pumping the same for the benefit of public or for safety purpose. Such pumping activities were not for the mining activities but in the interest of the public,” the order stated.
“Since the water accumulated in pits or leases is a resource of water resource department, this office gave NOC to few mining companies,” it added.
