New era for state’s mining sector: Pillai

Panaji: The auction of four mining blocks and the nod for the auction of rejected ore will usher in a new era for Goa’s mining industry, said governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Monday.
Speaking on the first day of the winter session of the state assembly, Pillai said the Pramod Sawant government’s efforts to restart mining operations have paid off.
“My government’s efforts to resume mining have finally borne fruit. I am happy to state that permission has been given to auction the dumps or rejected ore, which will initiate the process of starting full-fledged mining,” said Pillai. “A new era has begun for the mining sector in Goa.”
The governor said resumption of mining operations is a major step to ensure employment to locals and to end the hardship faced by the mining dependent workers.
Four iron ore mining blocks have been auctioned and the allotment orders have been issued. Three blocks in Bicholim and one in Sanguem were auctioned off, with the mining firms paying a premium of 63.6%, 99.3%, 111.28% and 86.4% for the ore.
The auction process concluded on December 21 and all the successful bidders have made upfront payment of 20%, or Rs 43.2 crore each.