HC notice to govt on PIL seeking mining ops suspension

Panaji: The Bombay high court on Thursday issued a notice to Goa govt in a PIL filed by Goa Foundation seeking the suspension of all mining operations in Goa post-monsoon until regulatory measures are in place.Goa Foundation is also seeking directions to appoint a high-level committee headed by a retired HC judge to ensure that there is a satisfactory regulatory mechanism in place.The NGO is seeking the intervention of the HC to enforce directions by the Supreme Court along with statutory provisions under the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulatory Act 1957, Goa (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Storage, Transportation of Minerals) Rules 2013, and Goa Mineral Policy 2013.The petition concerns the recommencement of mining activities in Goa, alleging that this is being done without any semblance of a regulatory system in place.The PIL states that the state’s mineral resources are collectively owned by its citizens and must be managed transparently and responsibly. The state stands to receive approximately Rs 87,528 crore from the auction of the first 12 major mineral blocks, an amount nearly four times Goa’s projected budget revenue for the financial year 2025-26, Goa Foundation submitted to the HC.

As interim relief, Goa Foundation is seeking adequate staff to ensure 24x7 supervision and control over mining activity at mining blocks, dumps, plants, stockyards, jetties, or elsewhere, and during transport between locations. They are also requesting an independent laboratory for the purpose of grading ores and determining the presence of associated minerals in areas selected for mining blocks.