Suspension of mining ops won't affect trade of extracted ore

In pursuance of the Justice M B Shah Commission report, the government suspended the lease-licenses yesterday.

The order signed by Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya has mentioned that the suspension of mining operations shall not affect trade and transportation of ore already mined and existing in the lease hold area, in transit or stored or stocked on jetties.

The lease holders or traders who have procured such quantities of ore shall report the exact location of existence of ore, within a period of seven days to Director of Mines and Geology, the order said.

The Mines Department has also been asked to form teams for inspection of quantities of ore lying at the lease hold areas or such place as mentioned by lease holders or traders.

"The team members shall be randomly selected from mines, forest and revenue departments (of Goa government)," the order reads.

The state government initiated action last evening following recommendations of the Shah Commission, which had claimed that these leases were illegal as they did not have the permission of National Board for Wildlife.