The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) granted consent to 57 mining leases to mine about 13.79 MnT iron ore.
GSPCB granted consent to 57 mining leases to operate under the Air and Water Acts, subject to approval of mining plans by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM). The consent is valid for 1 year. GSPCB has also fixed an annual extraction cap of 13.79 MnT iron ore for these leases. The 57 mining leases should be able to commence operations in Oct’15, after the monsoon.
Mr Jose Manuel Noronha, GSPCB chairman said the department of mines and geology had renewed 89 mining leases, but 20 of these did not have valid ECs. “Of the 69 leases (those have ECs), we have granted consent to about 57. We have rejected consent to nine, which were from the 20 that did not have valid ECs but had still applied,” said Noronha. He added that 12 leases did not apply for consent.
The 57 mining leases are allowed to extract 13.79 MnT. This was set by the mines department at the time of lease renewal, said Noronha.
A monitoring committee will also be formed to review the air and water quality. The committee will be headed by the board Chairman and will meet once in three months. “The board will prepare its own report, while the mining firms will also have to submit their report on air and water quality every three months,” he clarified.
Weak Chinese Iron Ore Prices Remain a Matter of Concern
Iron ore prices in China have fallen drastically this week. Spot iron ore prices have plunged to a new 10-year low on 8 July’15. Prices for fines (Fe 62%) have dived to USD 44.1/MT, CFR China making iron ore exports unfavorable.
Low grade iron ore obtained from Goa is exported to China. With prices witnessing downtrend no exports from Goa have been seen since Feb’15. Falling iron ore prices have made exports unviable & made it further difficult for iron ore exporters in Goa.
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