Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 22: Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday that all 12 auctioned mining leases in the state are set to resume operations in phases, signaling a major revival for the mining sector.

According to the Chief Minister, nine of the leases will begin operations immediately, while the remaining three will start by March 2026. He added that five mining blocks located across North and South Goa are also scheduled to commence functioning within the next 20 days.

Sawant assured that the phased revival would bring much-needed relief to communities dependent on mining for their livelihoods.

“By 2026, no mining-dependent worker in Goa will remain unemployed,” he said, offering a strong commitment to restoring jobs in the sector.

The resumption of mining operations comes after a prolonged suspension and legal hurdles, which had left thousands of workers and ancillary businesses in economic distress. The Chief Minister’s statement is seen as a significant step toward reviving Goa’s economy, particularly in rural and mining belt areas that have been hard-hit by the halt in extraction activities.

The government has faced mounting pressure from mining unions and local communities to accelerate the sector's restart. With this announcement, the state hopes to stabilize employment and boost industrial output in the coming years.