'Goa mining not be allowed till Environment Impact studies'

Mining companies in Goa have violated rules and regulation in their operations and extraction of ores by them should not be permitted till environment impact assessment is done, a Central Empowered Committee told the Supreme Court today.

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The apex court-appointed Committee in its report recommended that resumption of mining operations, halted by the apex court on October 5, may be not be permitted till the state government notifies rule to regulate storage, transportation and shipment of mineral ore.

"The environmental clearances granted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, (MoEF) for the 19 mining leases located within the wildlife sanctuaries and for another 23 mining leases located within a distance of upto 1 km from the boundaries of nearby national parks / sanctuaries being in violation of this Court's orders dated. The mining operations in such mining leases may be prohibited," the report said.

The 124-page report was placed before a three judge bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam which would consider its findings and recommendation in the next date of hearing. Taking note of the Justice M B Shah Commission report which estimated a whopping Rs.35,000 crore loss to the exchequer due to illegal mining in the last 12 years, the bench had halted mining operations in all the 90 mines in Goa.

It had also asked the CEC to submit its report on the illegal mining in the state within four weeks. The committee in its report said that on the line of
Karnataka, Goa also prepare a reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) plan and the apex court should examine the environmental clearances given to the mining leases.

"Goa may be directed to immediately notify comprehensive Rules to regulate the storage, transportation and shipment of mineral," the report said adding "Till such comprehensive Rules are put in place, the resumption of mining operations may be not be permitted."