Sesa Iron Ore may seek rise in annual cap on export from Goa

With many of its mining leases yet to resume operations in Goa, Sesa Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Inc is likely to ask for an increase in the annual cap on iron ore export from the state.
"We would be looking at what other producers in Goa are doing. If they are not producing their share, we will be seeking (rise in cap), so that our allocation can be shifted from 5.5 MT to a bigger number," Tom Albanese Chief Executive Officer Vedanta Limited told PTI today.
The Supreme Court has imposed a cap of 20 million tonnes of iron ore export on Goa following large scale allegations of illegal mining in the state.

"Total 5.5 MT per year cap is our allocation of total 20 MT cap for the state. First of all we begin to approach our annual production level of 5.5 MT which will be sometimes at the end of this calendar year after the monsoon season," Albanese said.
He said the company also looks forward to the Court and expert panels to increase the 20 MT cap to some bigger number.
"If we look at our capacity before the closure we were producing between 10-15 MT. We would like to get back to that capacity. We would like to invest more in mining, trucking and invest more capital in Goa," the CEO said.

Talking about social concerns on mining due to reckless trucking activity, he said "... Key part of our activities would now be to ensure that the trucks on the roads that are carrying our ore are acting with best practices, safety and sensitive towards community."

"We do recognise and appreciate that the primary area where people would be concerned about the iron ore activity is congestion on the roads," he said.
Albanese said the company sees that sometime in future there will be dedicated roads to transport iron ore.
"But in the meantime we will ensure that the trucks are not over speeding. We take community concern of trucking activity seriously," he added.

Sesa Goa was the first miner to resume iron ore extraction activity in Goa following lifting of more than two and half year long ban with its mining lease at Codli in South Goa.