Goa govt sanctions policy to export rejected iron ore

The Goa cabinet approved a policy on Wednesday that will allow the export of iron ore dumps, allowing mining to resume in the coastal state for the next four to five years.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the media that 10 to 20 million mt of low-grade iron ore lay outside mining leases and could be exported as part of the policy.

Sawant said that Goa has enough ore to keep mining going for another four to five years. This ore can be found in various locations throughout the state.

Sawant told the media that the policy of the state government will bring mining dumps on public and private lands into order.

The chief minister informed that the State Land Revenue Code had previously empowered the state government to levy fines in cases where land was used for dumping mining rejects or similar materials without permission.

Sawant said that The dumps can now be exported as a result of a recent amendment to the Minerals Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Mineral Concession Amendment Rules, 2021, which took effect on November 12, 2021.

The state government can allow the lessee to dispose of the mineral by obtaining permission from the Indian Bureau of Mines and paying a royalty to the state government, according to the Central rule.

The overburdened ore, waste rock, or ore with a value below the threshold generated during the mining or beneficiation of minerals can be exported, according to the chief minister.

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