Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 27: Goa's iron ore industry has reached a significant milestone with companies beginning to handle low-grade ore dumps for the first time, paving the way for the revival of mining activity in the state.
The development follows state-led auctions under which 25 dumps were placed under new management, while four dumps were allotted to former mining lessees. The total quantity of ore in these dumps is estimated at around 50 million tonnes.
Full-fledged mining activity is expected to resume in Goa from October and is likely to generate around Rs 1,000 crore in revenue.
Mining in the state has remained halted since 2018 following a Supreme Court ruling concerning mining leases. As part of efforts to restart mining-related activities, the state government auctioned 20 iron ore dumps. In the latest phase, 20 of the 24 dumps offered received bids.
Chowgule and Company Pvt Ltd has commenced operations at the Pale iron ore dump, becoming the first company to operationalise a dump under the Goa Policy for Regulating Iron Ore Dump Handling, 2023.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the development marked the implementation of a transparent and regulated framework for the responsible utilisation of mineral resources accumulated from earlier mining operations.
Sawant said the initiative would generate economic activity, create employment, support local businesses and contribute revenue to the state while ensuring compliance with environmental and statutory safeguards.
He said the government remained committed to the responsible utilisation of Goa's mineral resources while balancing economic opportunities with environmental protection and the interests of the people.
A senior government official said handling and processing iron ore dumps was a highly specialised and capital-intensive activity. Companies were required to make substantial investments in heavy earthmoving machinery, beneficiation and screening facilities, transportation infrastructure and environmental compliance measures.
They are also required to obtain statutory clearances and meet royalty and other government dues before undertaking the activity.
The Supreme Court had permitted the Goa government to undertake dump mining in the state in accordance with the recommendations of an expert committee.
Following the court's decision, the state government notified the policy for regulating iron ore dump handling on September 14, 2023.
The Dump Handling Policy, 2023, paved the way for dealing with an estimated 700 million tonnes of low-grade iron ore lying inside and outside mining leases across Goa. The policy also provides for the export of up to 25 million tonnes of ore annually from dump handling activities.