PANAJI: The Goa State Pollution Control Board on Thursday granted four mines consent to operate under the Air and Water Act paving way for an additional 1.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) extraction of ore per annum.
The decision was taken by the Board in its meeting on Thursday. The mines include that of Geeta Bala Parulekar at Pissurlem (0.9 MMT), Narvekar Minerals at Kalay (0.39 MMT), V G Quenim at Sonshi (0.197 MMT) and Dattaraj Velingkar at Koparde 0.07 MMT per year in terms.
With the latest approvals the total permitted extraction in the State of Goa is 15 MMT per year still 5 MMT short of the 20 MMT cap imposed by the Supreme Court.
