Goa tells MinesMin it wont issue fresh mining leases

With concerns mounting on the adverse impact of mining on the environment,the Goa government has decided not to grant any fresh mining leases in the near future....

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With concerns mounting on the adverse impact of mining on the environment,the Goa government has decided not to grant any fresh mining leases in the near future. The move comes after environment and forests minister Jairam Ramesh endorsed the Digamber Kamat governments proposal not to give environmental clearance to any new mine.

We have received a letter from the Goa chief minister saying that his government was not going to issue fresh mining leases. He has expressed serious concern on the adverse impact of mining on the environment and we share the states concerns. Kamat said his administration would not allocate the mining lease for one proposal,where we have given our prior approval, mines minister B K Handique told The Indian Express.

Kamat has found support in his initiative from Ramesh. Replying to the chief ministers letters,Ramesh said his ministry has decided to impose a moratorium on consideration of mining proposals for environmental clearance till the coastal state finalised its mineral policy and his ministry is apprised of the same.

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I am advising the officer concerned to return all proposals to the proponents,which are pending for consideration and not to accept any new proposals from the state of Goa, Ramesh said in

his communiqué to the chief minister. Ramesh also asked the state to initiate a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of all mining activities through the National Environment and Energy Research Institute (NEERI) and identify remedial measures.

In a meeting on February 22 at the Planning Commission,chaired by Plan panel secretary Sudha Pillai,senior Goa government officials echoed the chief ministers concerns and ruled out granting of any fresh mining leases. the meeting was also attended by mines secretary Santha Sheela Nair. However,Goa was open to considering renewal of applications of those applicants,who held mining concessions during the Portuguese regime.

The opposition and anti-mining activists have often criticised the Kamat government for being unable to streamline the states Rs 5,000 crore mining industry. There have been allegations that open cast mining of iron ore was wreaking the environment in the coastal state by destroying forests and reducing ground water levels primarily due to faulty drilling for iron ore.

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