PANAJI
In yet another significant step towards resumption of fresh iron ore extraction activities in the State that were shut since March 2018, the Goa cabinet on Friday granted its nod for signing of Mine Development and Production Agreement (MDPA) with M/s Vedanta Limited for its mineral block at Bicholim, for commencement of mining operations.
The mineral block, with an area of 478.5206 ha is located in Bicholim, was granted Environment Clearance (EC) for production of three million tonnes per annum (MPTA) of iron ore. This is the first mining lease to get EC post suspension of iron ore activities.
“We are signing the Mine Development and Production Agreement that is MDPA under the mining lease deed approval with Vedanta Ltd. Since they have obtained the valid EC for mining operations, as per Auction tender rule, we have to sign the agreement with them for commencement of mining operations,” Sawant said after the cabinet meeting.
As per the lease deed approval, the successful bidder, to whom Letter of Intent is issued, has to sign MDPA with the State government upon obtaining all consents, approvals, permits, no-objections and others as required to start operations.
Subsequent to signing of the agreement, the firm has to make the payment of the third instalment being 60 per cent of the upfront payment and thereafter the State government will grant the mining lease.
Vedanta was issued Letter of Intent in January 2023 and it is valid only for a period of three years within which the firm has to start the mining operations after obtaining all permissions. The company has already made 40 per cent upfront payment to the State, which is over Rs 60 crore. The mineral block comprises of Bordem, Lamgao, Mulgao, Mayem and Sirigao villages of Bicholim taluka.
Appointment of 40 part-time ESI employees approved
The state cabinet has accorded its approval to appoint 40 ESI part-time employees on contractual basis. These employees have been working for 15 years and more.
Sawant said that the government decided to give some relief to these employees by appointing them on contractual terms. He said that their salaries will increase from around Rs 15,000 to at least Rs 25,000.
