Centre softens stand on ban on mining operations in Goa - ToI

'No reason to curtail iron ore production in Goa’ TNN | Mar 7, 2013, 07.28 AM IST PANAJI: Union mines ministry informed the Supreme Court in an affidavit that there is no need to curtail iron ore production in Goa. "The apprehension that iron ore in Goa would last for a limited period is not correct, and should not be a reason for cessation or curtailing of ore production in Goa," under secretary in the mines ministry Anil Subrarnaniarn said in the affidavit. Subrarnaniarn stated that as per available information in 1971, the total iron ore resources in Goa were estimated at 396 million tonnes. As per the national mineral inventory, as on April 2010, after 29 years of extraction of more than 500 million tonnes, the total iron ore (haematite) resources in Goa were estimated at 927 million tonnes. "After including magnetite, the total iron ore resources were estimated at 1,150 million tonnes. Now, after extracting 100 million tonnes of iron ore in the years 2010-11 and 2011-12, the likely available total iron ore resources as on April 2012, is estimated at 1,050 million tonnes," Subrarnaniarn said in affidavit. The mines ministry also said in the affidavit that the likely reason for this increase in ore is that at the start of the industry, the exploration was hardly up to 50-60 metres deep, whereas, the Goan ore being primarily of the vein type is deep rooted. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/No-reason-to-curtail-iron-ore-production-in-Goa/articleshow/18842794.cms Centre softens stand on ban on mining operations in Goa ByMurari Shetye, TNN | Mar 7, 2013, 07.27 AM IST PANAJI: Giving a fillip to the state government's efforts to resume mining operations in Goa, Union mines ministry in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, has spelt out its disagreement with the Shah commission report that was the basis for suspending mining operations. At a time when persons dependent on mining in Goa are hoping for the industry's revival, the Union mines ministry affidavit states, "Till the state government verifies the alleged violations pointed out in the Shah Commission report, the ministry of mines cannot agree with the contention of the commission on illegal mining in the state." The ministry's stand in the court appears to be in sync with that of the state government that has taken exception to the report on various counts. The affidavit signed by under secretary in the mines ministry Anil Subrarnaniarn states, "The report of the commission has been referred to the state government of Goa. Till the state government completes this action, it might be premature to hold that mining operations have been undertaken in violation of MMDR Act, and are liable for prosecution under Section 21 of the MMDR Act." A copy of the affidavit is with the TOI. The commission's observations on illegal mining on 578.42 hectares agricultural or horticulture land and mining on encroached area of 502.21 hectares are required to be verified on ground by the state government which holds the land records, the affidavit states. "There is a likelihood that this assessment of the encroachments could be arising due to incompatibility of the land measurement systems used earlier and the geo positioning systems used by the commission for assessment of the encroachments," the affidavit states. A correct assessment by the state government, on the basis of land revenue records, would enable identification of the encroachments for assessment of the loss, the affidavit states. Stating that the recommendations of the commission on mining operations without appropriate clearances under forest laws have been referred to the ministry of environment and forests, the affidavit points out that any decision to revoke or cancel any mining leases which are observed to be in violation of forest laws would be premature. Acknowledging the necessity for increased coordination among the various statutory regulators in the mining sector through sharing of information and close cooperation in ensuring compliance, the affidavit states that the ministry would abide by any directions of the court in the matter. Shah commission had pointed out to a Rs 35,000 crore loss due to illegal mining in the state. Within days of the report being tabled in Parliament in September last year, the Goa government had temporarily halted all mining activities in the state. Later the SC also banned mining in the state following a petition filed in the court based on the report. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Centre-softens-stand-on-ban-on-mining-operations-in-Goa/articleshow/18842783.cms