Indian iron ore to tune of 20 million tonnes extracted in Goa

17 Apr 2017

A fresh iron ore to the tune of 20 million tonnes was extracted during the financial year 2016-17, an indication that Goa’s mining industry is getting back on the track. The Supreme Court which is currently monitoring the iron ore extraction and has fixed a limit of 20 million tonnes per annum for the trade which was earlier embroiled in the controversy over large scale illegalities.

Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya told PTI that “The target of 20 million tons has already been achieved by the mine owners during the last fiscal which generated royalty of Rs.340 crores for the state.” He said that the industry players are hoping that the SC increases the ceiling on the export of the ore.

The Directorate of Mines and Geology officials last week held a meeting with the mining firms to decide the plan of production and transportation for the current financial year 2017-18.

Mr Acharya further told the mine owners that “An expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court has recommended enhancing the production limit and the matter is before the apex court for consideration.”

He added that “Hence, it is the duty of the department and the industry to equitably distribute the production in eight months of the new financial year as mining activities are not carried out during the monsoon season from June to September assuring that the new maximum limit of production on lease to lease basis would be distributed shortly.”

The SC appointed Expert Committee in its report submitted in 2014-15 has proposed that the fresh production limit can go upto 27 million tonnes.

Source : THE STATESMAN