The Forest Bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the hurdle for the Goa Government to auction extracted iron ore left by private miners who wanted to export the ore claiming that it existed prior to November 22, 2007, the date deemed by the Court for termination of their mining licenses.Dismissing the petition filed by Goa-based Bandekar Brothers Private limited, who claimed to have mined 67,285 ton of iron ore prior to November 22 deadline, the bench headed by Justice JS Khehar said that this claim by the company was “wholly misconceived”.
“The State of Goa passed an order dated September 10, 2012 suspending mining operations in the State. By another order of September 14, 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Forests suspended the environmental clearances granted to mines in Goa. It is, therefore, apparent that no mining activity was being carried out in the State of Goa after this date,” said the Bench, which also comprised Justices J Chelameswar and AK Sikri. The Court reiterated its earlier order passed this year vesting all extracted ore in State Government’s control.