Iron
ore exporters from Goa today stated that demand for low grade iron
ore from China has helped to extend the life of mining industry in the
state.
According
to Mr. Shivanand Salgaoncar, President, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters
Association (GMOEA) “The ore which was stacked as rejection at the
mining site was exported during last few years after China boom.”
“The
high grade ore in the earth is left untapped. This will increase the lifespan
of the industry,” he said adding. Thanks to China boom, traditional
mine owners prospered. Lot of dumps that were lying idle was exported to the
neighboring country,” he added.
“It is not possible to say for sure as to when
would ore reserves in Goa exhaust. Each mining firm will be able to tell
you what the lifespan of their lease is. I have been hearing since 30 years
that the lifespan is not more than 30 years. But ore still exists,” he answered
to a question on life of mines in the state.
“There
cannot be any particular cap prescribed for extraction of ore. It is for
individual lease holder to decide how much he can extract and for how much
permission he has received,” Mr. Salgaoncar, whose association has 34
major exporters as its members, added to his answer.
Goa
is the largest iron ore exporter with almost 54 MT of ore being sent from two
of its ports -Mormugao Port Trust and Panaji port.
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