Goa mining: Stakeholders want to start business early post ban lift

Hailing the Supreme Court order on mining in Goa, stakeholders today said the state and Central
governments should collectively work towards early resumption of iron ore extraction activity.

The top court today allowed an annual cap of 20 million tonnes of iron ore to be extracted in Goa which was banned by it in the state for nearly one-and-a-half years.

"The state and Central governments should work together to restart the mining industry as soon as possible. People (dependent on mining) have gone through an ordeal for several months now," Goa Mining People's Front Convener Suhas Naik told PTI, reacting to the order.

Even as the order brought cheers to the stakeholders, they pointed out barely over a month is left before the monsoon hits Goa, paralysing the entire mining operations.

Mining activity should start immediately if all documents are in order as only one-and-half-a months are left for the current mining season to end, he said.

Naik said the SC order needs to be analysed properly. "Will the industry be able to survive with this cap (20 MT)?" All Goa Barge Owners Association President Atul Jadhav said the ruling will instill confidence amongst bankers who will start lending for mining operations.

He said the state government should use the money collected from e-auctioning of iron ore for the welfare of people who were affected by the mining ban.

The SC has asked the Goa government to formulate a scheme within six months for utilising the funds generated by e-auction.

"The state government has to take people affected by mining closure into confidence before deciding about the use of money collected through e-auction," Jadhav said.

North Goa Truck Owners Association vice-president Suresh Desai said the SC ruling was a welcome step but the state government should ensure that all stakeholders benefit from it.