The Supreme Court on Friday banned all mining operations and transportation of iron ore in Goa. The order came following a hearing on a PIL filed against resumption of mining operations in the state. Few weeks back, the Directorate of Mines and Geology had temporarily suspended all mining operations in Goa till October 2012.
The move came after an expert panel formed by the federal government found “serious illegalities and irregularities” in mining operations. There had, however, been no ban on the movement of iron ore already produced and stored at ports or in transit.
Industry experts comment that it will not impact domestic steel prices in India, as iron ore available in Goa is of inferior quality and 90% of it is being exported to China.
A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar decided not to withdraw the suspension till the issues raised by the committee were taken to their logical end. Parrikar was the Leader of Opposition when the PAC headed by him exposed large scale illegalities and irregularities in state's iron ore mining industry.
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