Mineral exploration companies in
Goa have warned that iron ore exports from the state are likely to experience a
sharp decline this year due to the ongoing row over illegal mining, with
overseas shipments plummeting even before the mining season formally kicked off
in mid-September.
According to industry players,
exports fell almost 50 per cent during the monsoon this year in comparison to
the previous year.
“The worries about decreasing
exports were discussed recently at a meeting of stakeholders called by the
Mormugao Port Trust (MPT),” highly placed sources said.
MPT accounts for bulk of iron ore
exports from India. Although the mining season began in mid-September, activity
is yet to gain momentum.
Fears are being raised that the
Government's directive to companies not to re-handle dumps of poor quality iron
ore that have accumulated at pitheads across the state will lead to a further
drop in exports.
The Goa Pollution Control Board
has asked around 40 mines in the state to suspend their operations in the
absence of consent under the Air and Water Pollution (Control) Act.
“If there are closure of mines
then the exports will continue to be at a similar pace,” a senior industry
source said, adding that it would be difficult to achieve production of even 30
million tonnes of iron ore this year against 54 mt last financial year.
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