Porvorim | July 21, 2017: State government is planning to auction mining leases which are due to expire on March 31, 2020, chief minister Manohar Parrikar told the House in a written reply on Thursday.

Parrikar, who is also the mining minister, was replying to a question tabled by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral whether the government has any plans to auction the leases that have not been renewed.

He said that the government has complied with the Supreme Court directives issued in 2014 on illegal mining and there are 277 valid iron ore mining leases. Sources informed that the leases span over places such as Pernem, Sattari, Ponda, Sanguem, Bardez, Bicholim, Tiswadi and Quepem talukas, sources said.

"So far 89 leases have been renewed and 188 got the benefit of 'deemed' extension as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015,'' Parrikar said in his written reply. "Out of the 89, operations are on in 48 leases. Ore production for the year 2015-16 was recorded at 7.29 MT, while in 2016-17 it was 20MT,'' he said.

Following Shah Commission's report on illegalities, mining was banned in the state in 2012. It was later lifted in 2014.

As reported by TOI, two years ago, the state government had told the mines ministry in May 2015 that the first block of mining leases is likely to be put up for auction in 2020.

According to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) amendment bill, 2015, once the lease period expires, the leases have to be auctioned.

During the Portuguese era, Goa had 806 mining concessions. In 1987, when concessions were abolished and converted into leases, the number came down to 595 leases.

An official said that auctioning of leases may be subject to the Supreme Court order passed in the special leave petition (SLP) filed by leaseholders challenging the government's decision to abolish mining concessions and turn them into leases.

In 1987-88 and in 2000, 438 lease holders had applied for first renewal.

Subsequently, 413 lease holders had applied in 2006 for second renewal.

Out of 595 valid mining leases in Goa, the state government cancelled 252 mining leases of those lease holders who had not applied during the first or second renewal of mining leases in 1987 and 2007.

On October 2013, 119 mining leases were cancelled another 133 were cancelled in November 2013.

During the active mining phase, around 110 mining leases were in operation and around 45 million tonne of iron ore was exported from Goa.

The government is planning to auction mining leases which are due to expire on March 31, 2020, chief minister Manohar Parrikar told Goa Legislative Assembly in a written reply on Thursday.

Parrikar who is also the minister for mines and geology made the statement in response to a question tabled by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral. Cabral had asked whether government has any plans to auction the mining leases that have not been renewed by the government.

Parrikar also informed that the government has complied with supreme court directions issued in 2014 that pertains to illegal mining. He also informed that there are 277 valid iron ore mining leases. These leases are spread over Pernem, Sattari, Ponda, Sanguem, Bardez, Bicholim, Tiswadi and Quepem talukas, sources said.

"So far 89 mining leases are renewed and 188 leases have got benefit of deemed extension as per Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015", Parrikar's written reply said.

He further informed that so far out of 89 executed mining leases, 48 mining leases are in operation. Iron ore production for the years 2015-16 was 7.29 MT, whereas for 2016-17 it was 20.00 MT.

Following Shah Commission report on Goa's illegal mining, iron ore mining was banned in the state in 2012 and it was lifted in 2014.

As reported by TOI two years ago, Goa state government had informed the mines ministry in May 2015 that the first block of mining leases is likely to be put up for auction in 2020.

According to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill, 2015 once the lease period expires, the leases have to be auctioned.

During the Portuguese period, Goa had 806 mining concessions, and in 1987 after the concessions were abolished and converted into leases, the number had reduced to 595 leases. An official said that auctioning of leases may be subject to the Supreme Court order in the special leave petition (SLP) filed by leaseholders challenging the Union government's 1987 decision to abolish mining concessions given by the erstwhile Portuguese regime and turn the same into leases

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)