PANAJI
In a renewed push to restart mining activity in the State, the Goa government has announced the fourth phase of iron ore mineral block e-auction on April 16, to be held after a gap of almost one year during which six mineral blocks covering ten mining leases will be auctioned.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has invited bids for grant of mining leases of iron and manganese ore – two blocks are located in Cudnem (XII and XIV), two in Pissurlem (XV and XVI), Adwalpale-Mollem Mineral block (XVII) and Cavorem-Maina Mineral Block (XVIII). The tender documents would be available from February 2 till March 16.
“The mineral blocks, comprising 10 mining leases, have got a total 168 million tons of mineral resources,” DMG director Narayan Gad said, adding that the auction will commence from April 16, with the government expecting an upfront payment of Rs 230 crore.
Gad said that in a bid to fast-track the operationalisation of mineral blocks, the government has proposed to put in place a standard operating procedure (SOP)-cum-schedule for each department, including the Environment Department for grant of environmental clearance, the Pollution Control Board for consent approvals, and the District Collector to ensure that all permissions are issued within a stipulated time frame.
Gad said that so far of the total 12 mineral blocks auctioned by the government, five have commenced operations and two more will start the production work within a month's time. This includes the Kale mineral block owned by Fomento Resources and Onda Mineral block by Agarvanshi Pvt Ltd.
“The Kale mineral block will start operations in the coming 15 days followed by the Onda block,” he said.
Bicholim mineral block was the first to commence fresh extraction in April 2024, followed by Fomento Resources at the Advalpal-Thivim block in December the same year. In May 2025, M/s Salgaocar Shipping Pvt Ltd began operations at the Shirgao-Mayem block, Shirgao mineral block operated by M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd, and the Cudnem Mineral Block (VI) managed by JSW Steel Limited were operational from October, last year.
