PANAJI
The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has granted environmental clearance to Chowgule & Company Pvt Ltd for handling iron ore dumps located on private land outside the lease-bound area at Pale village in Bicholim.
Acting on recommendations from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the SEIAA has directed the company to install at least three ambient air quality monitoring stations at the dump site to track particulate matter such as PM10, PM2.5, and other pollutants. Additionally, online sensor-based monitoring stations will be installed along the transportation route in consultation with the GSPCB.
“The project proponent shall monitor ambient air quality along the transport route and at the dump site, and the results must be displayed electronically at the main entry and exit points,” the SEIAA stated.
To curb dust pollution, the company has also been instructed to install CCTV cameras from the mine exit gate up to the jetty to ensure that trucks are properly covered during transportation. These cameras will be linked to the GSPCB server for real-time monitoring.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology had earlier granted permission for dump handling, following which the State Expert Appraisal Committee recommended the project for environmental clearance to the SEIAA.
The company plans to handle 1.80 million tonnes of iron ore dumps annually across an area of 76.54 hectares. Upon completion of operations, it will be required to undertake restoration and reclamation of the land.
The clearance permits the removal of dumps within a five-year period, subject to payment of conversion fees under the Land Revenue Code, applicable royalties, and compliance with all statutory requirements. Site restoration must also be completed within this timeframe.
As part of environmental safeguards, the firm has been directed to develop a greenbelt within a 7.5-metre safety zone along the dump lease boundary to mitigate pollution. Over 90,700 trees are to be planted as part of this initiative.
