Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Aug 12: The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has begun allotting low-grade iron ore dumps lying outside lease-bound areas on private land to erstwhile mining leaseholders.
According to officials, four dumps have been allocated — one each to VM Salgaocar Pvt Ltd and Minescape Minerals Pvt Ltd, and two to Chowgule & Company Pvt Ltd. These dumps are located in North and South Goa.
Director of Mines Narayan Gad said the allotments are being made under the policy for regulating iron ore dump handling on private land. In January, applications were invited from erstwhile leaseholders who had paid conversion fees.
“The government decided to allow handling of such dumps only after conversion fees and fines under Sub-section 1A of Section 33 of the Goa Land Revenue Code are paid,” Gad said. He added that companies would have five years to remove the dumps and must obtain statutory permissions, including environmental clearance.
The dump handling will be permitted subject to royalty payment and compliance with all statutory norms. Gad also informed that e-auctioning of dumps lying within lease areas will be taken up in due course, though no specific schedule has been announced.
During the recent monsoon session, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had stated that 20 dumps in South Goa have been identified for e-auction within this month. Earlier this year, DMG had cancelled three phases of e-auctions due to technical issues, after receiving 125 bids for 18 dumps totalling 5.2 million metric tonnes.