Goa government renews 13 mining leases

In a respite to iron ore mining players in Goa, the state government today renewed 13 mining leases, who can now begin tapping the ore after getting necessary clearances from agencies concerned.
Directorate of Mines and Geology issued renewal order to 13 mining leases under section 8 (3) of MMDR (Mines and Minerals [Development and Regulations]) Act, read with 24 (A) of mineral concession rule 1960 and rule 63 (A) (C) and section 20 of MMDR act.
The individual orders of renewal were issued to V M Salgaocar & Bros Pvt Ltd, Sociedade de Fomento Industrial Pvt Ltd, Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd, Rajaram Bandekar Pvt Ltd, G N Agarwal Mining Pvt Ltd, Smt Geetabala Manohar Naik Parulekar Mines, Smt Kunda Gharse Mines, Sesa Goa and M/s Letho Ferro.

Of the 13 renewals, Salgaocar company has four mining leases renewed, Fomento two, while others got renewed one lease each.
Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya confirmed the move and said that extraction (of iron ore) can start only after companies obtain necessary Environment Clearance from Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, Air and Water pollution Act clearance from Goa State Pollution Control Board and mining plan approval from Indian Bureau of Mines.
The Supreme Court had lifted order of mining suspension in April 2014 asking the state government to form proper policy before renewing the mining leases.