PANAJI: Goa Mining Peoples’ Front (GMPF) on Thursday urged Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant for immediate mining resurrection to help protect livelihood of three lakh Goans, who were dependent on the mining industry. The GMPF has also said that the resumption of mining in the State can further augment the national foreign exchange reserves to approximately Rs 6000 crore amid the present economic downturn on account of COVID-19. “Resumption of Mining activities would, in all likelihood, also give boost to State's economy which has lost around Rs 3500 crore per year due to mining stoppage,” it stated in a press release. “With state borrowing standing at an all-time high of Rs 20,000 crore, the amount of debt has been further increased in the past two years. The state had witnessed the same sharp spike in its debt levels during 2012-2016, when mining activities in the State had stopped for a period of four years,” said GMPF. GMPF president Puti Gaonkar requested that the Governor to hold a meeting with their delegation. "We wish to bring to Governor's notice that immediate resumption of Goa mining industry is very crucial for restoring State economy and saving livelihood of lakhs of people who are directly and indirectly dependent on mining for survival,” he said. Gaonkar pointed out that over three lakh mining dependents in Goa were suffering for past more than two years and COVID-19 had added to their sufferings making situation worse for them. “Immediate resumption of mining seems to be only saviour for mining dependents and Goa State at large to overcome this challenging situation,” Gaonkar said.