After 18 months, Supreme Court today lifted the ban on Iron ore mining in Goa today and permitted Iron ore excavation with a cap of 20 MnT pa.
A three-judge bench headed by justice A.K. Patnaik said, “The Court has asked the state government to constitute an expert panel and submit a report regarding capping of output and other issues within 6 months.”
The Supreme Court has said there will be no grant of lease for mining around 1 km of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The apex court has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests to identify eco-sensitive areas around national parks within 6 months.
The top court also said the mining leases for which renewals were not sought post 2007 have expired and mining there is illegal.
Goa may possibly contribute 9-10 MnT Iron ore production in FY15. From 15 MnT of existing Iron ore stockpile in the state, which is offered for sale via e-auctions, close to 5 MnT is expected to be exported this fiscal.
The state use to produce 45 MnT pa Iron ore before the ban imposed on 5 Oct, 2012. Illegalities in mining and environment concerns resulted in imposition of ban on mining and export.
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