PANAJI
In a further push to iron ore mining industry, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has granted Consent to Establish iron ore activities at the Cudnem Mineral Block (VII), Cudnem Mineral Block (VI) and Tivim-Pirna Mineral block (VIII)
During its Board meeting held last month, the Board accorded its approval for grant of Consent to Establish to the three mineral blocks under Air and Water Pollution Act.
At the same time, the Board has also granted Consent to Operate to Shirgao mineral block belonging to M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd.
The Cudnem Mineral block belonging to Vedanta Ltd and Tivim-Prina block belonging to Odisha-base KAI International, have already obtained Environmental Clearances (ECs) from the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
Similarly, Cudnem Mineral Block (VI), belonging to JSW Steel Limited has also obtained prior EC for production of 0.05 MTPA of ore through open cast mining.
The Cudnem mineral block is around 75.3 hectares and has an estimated reserve of 8.3 million tonnes of hematite iron ore. Vedanta won the auction with a final offer of 93.15%.
As far as the Tivim- Pirna mineral block is concerned, the Kai International has proposed production of 0.33 MTPA of ore from the total mining area of 72 ha located in Bardez taluka.
Vedanta was the first to commence fresh iron ore activities from its Bicholim mineral block in April, last year.
A year later, M/s Salgaocar Shipping Pvt Ltd started extraction of ore from Shirgao-Mayem Mineral block from May, this year.
