Panaji, Sep 24 The commencement of operations at Pale iron ore dump in North Goa marked an important milestone in implementation of the state’s 2023 policy regulating the handling of such dumps, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday.
The commencement of operations at Pale by mining firm Chowgule and Company was the first under the policy, which Sawant said was a transparent and regulated framework for responsible utilisation of mineral resources lying in dumps generated from earlier mining operations.
“The initiative will generate economic activity, create employment, support local businesses and contribute revenue to the state, while ensuring strict compliance with environmental and statutory safeguards,” Sawant said.
The government remains committed to responsibly utilising Goa’s mineral resources while balancing economic opportunities with protection of the environment and the interests of the people, the CM added.
The state government notified the ‘Policy for Regulating Iron Ore Dump Handling in Goa’ in September 2023. It provides a regulatory framework for handling and utilisation of iron ore dumps, including those generated from earlier mining activities.
The issue of mining dumps has been closely linked to Goa’s iron ore mining history dating back to the 1950s.
The sector witnessed a major expansion before mining operations were suspended in 2012 following findings of widespread illegal mining and environmental violations.
The Supreme Court in 2014 held that the state’s mining leases had expired in 2007, while a subsequent 2018 judgment quashed the second renewal of 88 mining leases, bringing mining operations to a halt from March 2018.
The prolonged suspension affected mining companies, workers, transporters, exporters and other businesses dependent on the sector. Before the suspension, Goa had emerged as a major exporter of low-grade iron ore, with nearly 99 per cent of its ore being exported, according to a NITI Aayog assessment.
Large quantities of ore had also accumulated in dumps over the years. The state’s 2023 policy sought to establish a regulated mechanism for dealing with such material, taking into account the legal, environmental and statutory requirements.
The government had earlier resorted to e-auctioning of extracted ore. According to a 2022 reply in Parliament, Goa had e-auctioned 18.35 million tonnes of iron ore between 2014 and 2022, earning Rs 1,649.53 crore.
(PTI News)
