Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for State has revoked the suspension of the environmental clearances (ECs) for Goa, Chief Minister laxmikant Parsekar announced on Tuesday paving way for the resumption of mining in the State.
Parsekar said that iron mining in Goa would soon resume as the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest on Tuesday revoked the suspension of environmental clearances of mines in the coastal State. Announcing this decision in New Delhi, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said operations in 72 mines were kept in abeyance since 2012 and his Government has removed it.
The Minister, however, clarified the permission for resumption of mining is according to Supreme Court directives and in compliance with environmental and forest clearances. Also 22 other mines located on the periphery of forests will remove operations after specific permission from the apex court.
“The MoEF on Tuesday withdrew the suspension of ECs. The mining industry will resume operations immediately now,” Parsekar added. The suspension of 72 out of the total 89 approved mining leases in the coastal State had been lifted, said Parsekar, adding that the remaining ones were within the one-kilometre radius of wildlife sanctuaries.
The Chief Minister also said that the State Government would request the Centre to abolish export duty on the ore with low ferrous content. “We are sure that the Centre will abolish duty on low-grade ore and reduce that on high-grade ore,” he said. Parsekar added that the Government has already spent Rs 11.60 crore in various schemes to alleviate the sufferings of the mining affected people.
Mining was first banned by Manohar Parrikar and quickly followed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests suspending all leases. The Supreme Court lifted its ban in April last year imposing severe restrictions on mining in the State.