Panaji: Goa Cabinet on Wednesday approved the policy which will allow exports of Iron Ore dumps in the state, which will allow the full-fledged resumption of the mining activity for another four to five years.
State chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the low grade ore to the tune of 10 million metric tonnes to 20 million metric tonnes is lying at different places outside the mining leases, which could be exported as a part of the policy.
“Goa has enough ore to sustain mining activity for next for four to five years. This ore is lying across the state in different places,” he said referring to these piled up rejects.
Talking to reporters, Sawant said that the state government’s policy will regularize mining dump on the government and private lands.
He said that the State Land Revenue Code, in the past, had empowered the government to impose fine in case of where the land is used for dumping mining rejects or like materials without the permission of government.
We have collected fine to the tune of Rs 200 crore in the year 2013-14 from those who had dumped the ore outside the mining leases, chief minister said.
“Those who have paid the fines are allowed to carry the dumps after taking permission from Indian Bureau of Mines and paying royalty payment as per the policy,” he said.
Sawant said that the dumps are allowed to be exported through the recent amendment to Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Mineral) Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2021 to further amend the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Mineral) Concession Rules, 2016 which has come in force from November 12, 2021.
He said that as per the central rule, the state government can permit the lessee to dispose off the mineral by taking permission from Indian Bureau of Mines and paying the royalty to state government.
He said that the ore which was overburdened, waste rock or below the thrashhold value generated during the course of mining or benefication of the minerals can be exported.
