Goa government approves policy to export rejected iron ore

The Goa cabinet has cleared a policy to permit the export of iron ore dumps that will pave the way for resumption of mining activity in the state for the next four to five years.

Speaking to reporters post cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that 10 to 20 million metric tonnes of the low-grade iron ore was lying at different locations outside the mining leases.

“The state government has formulated a policy for regularisation of mining dumps on government and private land and related issues. Those who were valid lessees and who had paid the money to the government (as a penalty for illegally dumping on government land), will be allowed to export,” Sawant said.

"Goa has enough ore to sustain the mining activity for the next four to five years. This ore is lying across the state at different places," he added.

The chief minister further said that in the past, the State Land Revenue Code had empowered the state government to impose fines in case of where the land is used for dumping mining rejects or similar materials without the permission.

"We have collected fines to the tune of Rs 200 crore in 2013-14 from people who had dumped the ore outside the mining leases. Those who have paid the fines will be allowed to move the dumps after taking permission from the Indian Bureau of Mines and paying royalty payment as per the policy, he said.

Sawant said that the dumps are allowed to be exported through the recent amendment to Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Mineral) Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2021 that came into force from November 12, 2021.

As per the Central rule, the state government can permit the lessee to dispose of the mineral by taking permission from the Indian Bureau of Mines and paying the royalty to the state government, he said.

The ore, which was overburdened, waste rock or below the threshold value generated during the course of mining or beneficiation of the minerals, can be exported, the chief minister added