Mining policy to classify leases before its resumption

Goa government's proposed mining policy will classify the existing leases in three different categories, depending on when they are allowed to resume iron ore extraction activity, a senior official said today.
The draft policy which is modification to the existing Goa mining policy has classified the total leases into three categories, a senior Mines department official said.
The mines, only in the first category would be given the licences to extract once activity resumes sometimes later this year.
The policy has also suggested two more categories, which can be given permit to extract iron ore at the later stage, but not immediately, he said.

The first category is covering many if the existing mining leases, he said.
Goa government is currently in the process of formulating the mining policy, which is mandatory to resume in the state.

The mining industry in the state is on hold since last two years after supreme court imposed the ban owing to the allegations of illegal extraction and exports.
The state had 90-odd working mining leases when the industry had closed down.
Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya, when contacted, said that the policy is being formulated and many of the details cannot be divulged at this moment.

He said that the state government is examining the order given by Goa Bench of Bombay High Court before finalising the policy.
The court on August 14 this year had ordered state government to renew 27 mining leases which has already paid the stamp duty.
Acharya said that the policy may not suggest the total capping on the iron ore exports.
"We are waiting for the report from Nagpur based National environment engineering research institute (NEERI), a monitoring committee set up by the apex court and SC order before coming down to the figure of capping," he said.
The director said that NEERI is expected to submit the report in next couple of months.

The policy is surrounding the principles of inter generational equity and also for generating maximum revenue for the state, he said.