PANJIM | April 04, 2016: In a bid to ensure minimal impact of iron ore mining on the environment and human settlement, the Union Ministry for Mines has proposed a “Star Rating” system for mining leases to promote sustainable development practices, which includes addressing social impact of resettlement and rehabilitation, among others.
“A Star Rating is proposed to be given to mining leases for the efforts and initiatives taken for implementation of the Sustainable Development Framework (SDF),” the Ministry has said in a notification issued last month, while inviting comments from the stakeholders.
The Goa government and the mining stakeholders from the State have welcomed the move, and termed the concept as an encouragement to the lease holders to promote mining activities in sustainable manner. “State government has been very much clear that the mining practice needs to adopt in a sustainable manner. While renewing the mining leases, we have directed the lease holders to ensure implementation of sustainable development framework. The Union Ministry move is a step towards achieving the sole objective,” a senior official commented.
The Supreme Court has also ruled that mining activities need to be undertaken in sustainable manner, official added.
When contacted, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) secretary Glenn Kalavampara said “it is a step in right direction”. “Since the mining operations in Goa have just commenced after a long gap, the Star Rating concept will encourage mine owners to adopt sustainable techniques, while improvising further as mining restarts full-swing,” he added.
The evaluation would be based on management of impact on the mining level by carrying out scientific and efficient mining, addressing social impacts of resettlement and rehabilitation requirements for taking up mining activities, steps taken for progressive and final mine enclosure and overall reporting and adoption of international standards. SDF provides guidance to mining companies to improve their performance not only with regard to environmental and social aspects, but also (provides) a common benchmark against which operations can be evaluated in terms of comparative performance on sustainable development norms.
As per the notification, the mining leases, which have been operational for more than 180 days in the year of reporting, would be eligible for Star Rating. The leases would be rated in their category and the best performing leases would be given 5 stars.
A provisional 'Star Rating' will be awarded to the mining lease after due submission of their practices based on SDF and the confirmation of star rating would be given upon the due inspection by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).
(Source: http://www.heraldgoa.in/)