Ore mined in other states can now be exported from Goa

Panaji: In a significant move aimed at making Goa a hub for iron ore exports, the state government has allowed exporters to export ore mined from other states, from Goa. Prior to this, only leaseholders were allowed to export ore from Goa.
Explaining the decision, a senior official said that now, any exporter who purchases ore from, for example, Karnataka, can export it from Goa, which was not permitted earlier.
The government’s move is expected to generate additional revenue for the state by way of Rs 50 per tonne as the Goa rural improvement and welfare cess, processing fees, and other incidental revenue opportunities.
The state had initially allowed only leaseholders to purchase ore from other states and sell it from the Mormugao port, either for export or for domestic consumption. A senior official said that later “it was understood that it has limited scope as only leaseholders can export from the state”.
“To widen the scope, the directorate of mines and geology (DMG) notified amendments to the Goa (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Storage, and Transportation of Minerals) Rules, 2013. This will also generate economic and employment opportunities, and boost exports from the state,” the official said.
The directorate said that it will issue separate permits for the import of minerals for domestic consumption and for export. Thus, ore bought for domestic consumption can’t be exported, and vice versa. Also, ore bought from anywhere within India can’t be sold to or exchanged with any other person or entity.
The state government had received representation from stakeholders requesting them to allow the import of iron ore from Karnataka by road or railways specifically for export from the Mormugao port. Earlier, the ore imported from Karnataka to Goa was for domestic consumption only.