Panaji: The positive signs towards resumption of Iron Ore mining industry in Goa will start showing up within next six months, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.
Addressing an event organised by Sesa Football Academy on Friday, Sawant said that State government will “certainly ensure that the mining industry restarts in the State.”
“We are trying our level best to restart the mining industry in Goa. Since the time I have taken over as the chief minister, the things are changing. You will see positive changes towards resumption of mining industry within next six months,” he said.
Sawant, who represents Sankhalim Assembly constituency which is predominantly a mining belt, held series of meeting with the officials of mining companies, this week.
The mining industry in the State has come to a standstill due to Supreme Court order which has quashed 88 leases. Goa government is now planning to explore the possibility of tapping 300-odd leases which do not come under the purview of SC order.
The Chief Minister lauded Vedanta Inc’s Sesa Iron Ore division for retaining the staff despite stoppage of mining industry for last two years. “There are couple of companies who have earned fortunes on mining industry, but did not retained the staff and laid them off as soon as SC banned the industry. This is unfair,” Sawant said.
