PANAJI
In a major decision concerning ongoing iron ore dump auctions, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has made it mandatory for project proponents to prepare and submit a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before undertaking handling of inventorised legacy iron ore dumps located within 5 km of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and notified forest areas.
The decision follows deliberations by the Authority during a recent meeting after the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) informed it that several proposals relating to handling of dumps under the Policy for Regulating Iron Ore Dumps in the State of Goa, 2023 were being received for appraisal.
The Authority noted that the DMG is in the process of auctioning 24 inventorised iron ore dumps, and several of these dumps are located within a distance of 5 km ESZs, ESAs and forest areas notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Forest Act, 1927. It said the issue required a uniform regulatory approach to ensure consistency in decision-making.
SEIAA observed that the applicability of the General Condition under the EIA Notification, 2006 cannot be determined solely on the basis of the geographical location of a project. Instead, it said the applicability must be examined in the context of the nature of the activity, the statutory framework governing legacy dumps and judicial directions governing the sector.
The Authority further observed that proposals relating exclusively to the handling of inventorised legacy iron ore dumps constitute a distinct category of activity and should be appraised based on their true nature, scope and environmental implications.
Accordingly, SEIAA resolved that while the General Condition under the EIA Notification, 2006 would not apply solely because a dump is situated within 5 km of an ESZ, every project proponent would be required to procure and submit a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report covering the project site and surrounding areas within six months for appraisal by the Authority.
The Authority clarified that the relaxation would apply only where the proposal does not involve expansion of an existing mining lease area or any fresh in-situ mining activity requiring prior environmental clearance under the EIA Notification, 2006.
SEIAA also emphasised that all other statutory approvals, including forest clearance wherever applicable, would continue to be mandatory.
In arriving at its decision, the Authority relied on the recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee, the State Government's Policy for Regulating Iron Ore Dumps in the State of Goa, 2023, and the Bombay High Court's judgment of May 7, 2026, which upheld the validity of the dump policy and found no legal infirmity in its implementation.
