Soon, policy to allow ore dump export: CM Pramod Sawant

While uncertainty continues over the fresh extraction of iron ore in the state, the government has begun looking at giving mining activities a nudge start by formulating a dump policy by July to facilitate the export of ore from here. Chief minister also said that the five million tonnes of iron ore lying at jetties and plots will be e-auctioned from June.
Sawant said he has directed the mines department to finalise the base price for the iron ore.
He also said that since the exact quantity of dumps is not known, he has asked the mines department to prepare an inventory and submit it to his office.
“By July we will finalise the dump policy and the process to e-auction the dumps,” Sawant said. Work on the dump policy has commenced, he said.
A government officer estimated that the state has over 250 million tonnes of iron ore lying in dumps.
Sawant met with government officials and representative of the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) at the ministerial block, Porvorim, on Tuesday. During the meeting various issues was discussed, including resumption of mining activities.
Sawant told reporters that many expressed interest in a dump policy and were of the opinion that e-auctioning of ore dumps should be taken up.
Mining companies have submitted a representation asking the state government to restart mining, the chief minister said.
“We have asked the mining companies to give a representation on how to start mining activities when the apex court order is in force. After that we will send the representation for legal opinion,” Sawant said.
“This government is determined and focused on the immediate resumption of mining operations. After discussions with the CM, the industry is confident that this is of utmost importance to this government. The state government will examine resumption of mining while respecting all the applicable acts as well Supreme Court judgements,” secretary GMOEA Glen Kalavampara told TOI.
In 2012, the Supreme Court in its judgement had declared mining after 2007 as illegal. All the ore lying at jetties and plots was declared as state government property.
The state government had identified 15 million tonnes iron ore laying at jetties and plots out of which 10 million tonnes have been e-auctioned.
Sawant said that safety measure during monsoon will be taken care by the government with the help of mining companies.
In March 15, 2018, mining in Goa came to a halt following the apex court order quashing second renewal of 88 mining leases. Since then government is trying to restart mining activities in the state.