PANAJI
The State government has warned of action against successful bidders of auctioned mineral blocks and mining dumps who have failed to initiate process of resuming operations. The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has been directed to identify such bidders and issue show-cause notices.
CM Pramod Sawant, speaking after a review meeting convened by the Mines and Geology Department on Wednesday to assess the progress of mining activities, said the department had been instructed to identify bidders who had not taken any steps towards operationalising the mineral blocks or dumps.
“They have to either proceed with obtaining environmental clearance, forest clearance or other statutory permissions required to operationalise the mineral blocks,” Sawant said, warning that successful bidders would have to expedite the process.
With mining companies gearing up to resume operations in another seven to eight auctioned mineral blocks by December, Sawant appealed to people not to oppose mining, pointing out that the industry had the potential to generate employment and boost the State’s revenue.
He said the government had successfully auctioned 17 mineral blocks despite several challenges, of which six had already commenced operations. Efforts were underway to expedite the resumption of operations in the remaining blocks.
“People should not oppose mining without understanding its potential to generate employment and revenue. We appeal to everyone to cooperate with the government in restarting mining activities,” he said, adding that local panchayat bodies had also been asked to extend their cooperation.
Sawant assured that concerns raised by people in areas where mining had faced opposition would be resolved amicably. He said mining activities would be undertaken sustainably without compromising environmental concerns.
The CM also said the government would soon initiate auctions for six mining dumps. A proposal concerning dumps located on government land had encountered certain issues, which the government was trying to resolve.
Around 90 per cent of mining leaseholders and dump holders attended Wednesday’s meeting, which also reviewed issues related to transportation.
Appealing to truck owners to cooperate with the government, Sawant said efforts were being made to streamline the mining industry and that transportation rates for truck owners would be increased.
Meanwhile, Goa will host a National Mining Conference on Thursday, which will be attended by Union Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and mining ministers from other States.
The conference is expected to deliberate on issues concerning the mining sector and its development.
