Mining unlikely to resume at 154 leases in Goa's eco-sensitive areas

Panaji: A survey conducted by the directorate of mines and geology (DMG) has revealed that 154 mining leases, most of them in South Goa, are in eco-sensitive areas where mining cannot resume.

The survey was conducted by state govt ahead of fresh auctions of the state’s mining leases. Govt has already conducted four such auctions of mineral blocks. A senior DMG official confirmed that 154 leases fall in eco-sensitive areas.When mining in Goa came to a halt in 2018 following the Supreme Court’s decision to quash the second renewal of 88 leases, there were 254 valid leases. Most of these were spread over the talukas of Pernem, Sattari, Ponda, Sanguem, Bardez, Bicholim, Tiswadi, and Quepem.During the Portuguese era, Goa had 806 mining concessions, and in 1987, after the concessions were abolished and converted into leases, that number reduced to 595.In 1987-88 and 2000, 438 leaseholders applied for the first renewal. Subsequently, 413 leaseholders applied in 2006 for the second renewal.Of the 595 valid mining leases in Goa, state govt cancelled 252 of leaseholders who did not apply during the first or second renewal of mining leases.

In Oct 2013, 119 mining leases were cancelled, and 133 more were cancelled in Nov 2013.Before Sep 2012, 110 mining leases were in operation, and around 45 million tonnes of iron ore was exported from Goa.Since 2022, only three of the 12 mineral blocks auctioned by state govt have been able to start operations.Goa’s mining industry kickstarted operations on April 4, 2024, after a six-year shutdown, with Vedanta Sesa Goa beginning fresh extraction of ore at Bicholim.