Iron Ore Transportation Led to Pollution: GSPCB

12 June 2017

Close on the heels of the battle of the Sonshi villagers against dust pollution, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has admitted that iron ore transportation led to pollution in mining areas.

Under the National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP), the Board monitored the ambient air quality in areas affected due to mining transportation activities. The data was collected from the mining areas of Assonora, Bicholim, Honda, Codli, Amona, Usgao, Curchorem, Quepem and Sanguem.

“The data indicates PM 10 (dust pollution) exceeds the permissible limit at Amona, Assonora, Bicholim, Codli, Curchorem, Honda, Sanguem, Tilamol, Quepem and Usgao,” the annual report stated. “Whereas the SO2 (sulphur dioxide), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) and PM 2.5 levels are within permissible limit,” it added.

As per the data, the Codli mining site area is the most polluted with PM10 recorded as 90.1pg/m3 as against the prescribed limit of 60pg/m3. This is followed by Curchorem (89.2 pg/m3), Bicholim (88.7pg/m3), Honda (88.1pg/m3), Sanguem and Tilamol, Quepem (86pg/m3 each), Usgao (84.9pg/m3), Amona (84.1pg/m3) and Assanora (79.9pg/m3).

The Board recently decided to seek bank guarantees from mining companies assuring of ‘no pollution’, failing which the board will not grant or renew the consent to operate.

The decision comes following a controversy evolving around Sonshi village that has 13 mines. The Board has suspended operation of 12 mining leases for causing pollution.

Source- heraldgoa