Both ECs granted based on recommendations from SEAC
PANAJI
Giving a further push to iron ore mining in the State, the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted prior environmental clearance (EC) to the Onda Mineral Block (X) at Onda village in Sattari taluka. The block is owned by Agravanshi Pvt Ltd.
The Authority, during its meeting held earlier this month, also issued EC to Chowgule and Company Pvt Ltd for handling of iron ore dump, lying outside the lease bound area on a private property in Onda Village. Both the ECs were granted based on the recommendations from the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
For Onda Mineral block, the EC is granted for production of 0.5 million tonnes of iron ore per annum. However, the Authority clarified that the prior EC is subject to the outcome of the writ petition filed in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the tender document of Phase I action of mineral blocks.
The mineral block covers an area of 61.7325 Ha and is estimated to have got a mineral reserve of around 5.63 million tonnes.
“The prior EC under EIA notification 2006 does not tantamount to approvals/consents/permissions, etc required to be obtained under any other Rules/Regulations/Act and is under obligation to obtain the same,” the Authority said.
The EC is valid for a period of 30 years or till the life of the mineral block (50 yr) from the date of execution of the mining lease deed.
According to the proposal, there are 70 villages/towns - 59 villages and 11 census towns (CT), in the buffer zone of 10kms. Of these, 70 villages/towns, 34 villages and 2 towns are located in Satari taluka, 11 villages and 4 towns in Bicholim taluka, and 10 villages and 5 towns in Ponda taluka in North Goa. There are 4 villages in Dodamarg taluka in Sindhudurg District in Maharashtra.
Soliye Village & Ajoba Nagar in Honda Village are located adjacent to the mineral block area.
“For habitations adjacent to the mineral block boundary, safety barrier of 50m will be maintained from the proposed mine workings. No rehabilitation & resettlement plan is proposed,” the PP said.
The PP claimed that due to the proposed mining activity, no significant adverse changes are visualized in the traditional way of life of the people residing in the villages in the buffer zone.
So far, total five mineral blocks have commenced operations in the State --Vedanta’s Bicholim Mineral Block, Fomento Resources at the Advalpal-Thivim block, M/s Salgaocar Shipping Pvt Ltd’s Shirgao-Mayem block, Shirgao mineral block by M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd, and the Cudnem Mineral Block (VI) managed by JSW Steel Limited.
Meanwhile, SEIAA granted EC to Chowgule and Company Pvt Ltd for handling of iron ore dump, lying outside the lease bound area on a private property. The EC is granted for a period of five years and restoration/ rejuvenation/ reclamation of the dump site has to be carried out within the validity period of the EC.
As per the proposal, the dump of approximately 40 per cent purity has existed since 2004. The minimum contour level of the dump is approximately 116m and the maximum contour level is approximately 161m.
