PANJIM | Nov 13, 2015: The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has approved the mining plans (MP) of 29 renewed iron ore mining leases, covering an area of 65,230.5 ha, paving the way for fresh extraction activities at these leases.

Of the 45 mining plans it has received for approval since October 2014, IBM cleared 17 in North Goa and 12 in South Goa. The mining plans of the other 16 leases are still at the initial approval stage. “The approvals were granted within five to six months of receiving the plans, after conducting proper site inspections,” a senior official said.

The approved mining plans of iron ore mining leases belong to Chowgule and Co Ltd (nine leases), Sesa Goa Ltd (12 leases), Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Ltd (six leases), Rajaram Bandekar (two leases), R S Gharse (two leases), G N Agarwal (two leases), N S Narvekar (two leases), V D Chowgule (two leases) and one each lease belonging to Haidar Kassim Khan, Jairam Neogui, B H Mavni, Roguvir Sinai Garco, Talaulikar and Litoferrao.

IBM’s approval is a mandatory condition laid down by the Supreme Court while lifting the suspension imposed on mining activities. Directorate of Mines and Geology while granting second renewal to the mines, under Section 8 (3) of the Mines and Minerals Development Regulation (MMDR) Act 1957, had failed to take prior approval of IBM. DMG’s failure to get the IBM approval in advance, has been challenged before the Supreme Court by Goa Foundation (GF), as it is a mandatory condition under Section 24 (3). GF has challenged renewals of 89 mining leases by the department.

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) that granted Consent to Operate to 57 mining leases, had directed the lease holders to submit the annual iron ore production and developmental plan approved by the IBM before the commencement of the mining operations in the State. The consents were granted under the Air and Water Pollutione and Control Acts, with total annual extraction limit of 13.79 million metric tonnes (MMT).

(Source: http://www.heraldgoa.in/)