SC allows Goa mining firms to transport royalty paid, validly mined iron ore

In a major relief to mining firms, the Supreme Court Thursday permitted them to transport "royalty paid" iron ore, mined prior to March 15, 2018 in Goa.

The top court took note of the legislative policy and directed the mining firms that all "such transportation shall be completed within a period of six months from today".

A bench, comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, delivered the verdict on a batch of petitions filed by several mining firms including Chowgule and Company Pvt Ltd against the order of the Bombay High Court order.

The high court had quashed the decision taken on March 21, 2018 by the Goa government permitting mining leaseholders to pay royalty on mineral, which was already mined till March 15, 2018 and transport it.

Setting side the high court order, the bench took note of its earlier judgement in which "mining leaseholders were given time to manage their affairs and may continue their mining operations till March 15, 2018."