62 mining leases likely
to start ops this year
PANAJI
As iron ore mining is set to start in Goa after monsoons, senior official from Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) confirmed that 62 mining leases are expected to start operations in this financial year. This was confirmed by IBM’s regional controller of mines for Goa, Dr Y G Kale.
Dr Kale said, “These 62 mining leases have the permission to extract 16 million tonnes of iron ore. The iron ore production in Goa stood at 7.2 million tonnes in 2015-16.”
He continued, “These 62 leases have been given environmental clearance (EC) and hence they can start operations. Overall, IBM has approved mining plans of 72 iron ore leases, but 10 leases haven’t been granted EC and hence they are not in position to start functioning.”
