MINING
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced the e-auction of nine more iron ore mining leases.
Presenting the State Budget 2025-26, Sawant said that the State has so far e-auctioned a total 12 mineral blocks consisting of 24 mining leases. He said that so far two mineral blocks have commenced operations while two will start in the coming two months.
He also informed that three mineral blocks have also received environmental clearance and will start operations shortly.
Sawant, who also holds a Mining portfolio, said that the auctioning of dump mines will commence from this year.
The department has been strengthened with BHUMIJA- an end to end GPS and GIS based ore management system which has been integrated with all mining related infrastructure to regulate track and manage the movement of ore in real time, the Chief Minister informed.
“Around 12 lakh tonnes of ore will be publicly auctioned,” he said.
As regards to sand mining, Sawant said that the government has identified 12 zones for sand extraction in Zuari and Mandovi River. Total 185 applications have been received and Environmental Clearance has been granted.
“Once CRZ permission is received, permits will be given for 70% traditional and 30% non-traditional miners,” he said adding that the government has already increased the validity of lease from existing 5 years to 30 years for all the fresh grants and renewal of leases.
