Rs 3,500 crore iron ore exported without paying royalty : Illegal mines in Goa forests too
Ongoing investigations into illegal iron ore mining operations in Goa could result in a ban on mining in the southwest Indian state by November, according to Dr. Claude Alvares, Director, The Goa Foundation, a local environmental activist group.
Mr S Sridhar executive director of the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters' Association said that miners in Goa are bracing for state action against rule breakers that may involve mine closures. This follows the drive against illegal mining that led to a ban in Karnataka.
He added that "There is talk that those who have not got the no objection certificates from the chief wildlife warden might be served notices. But nobody in the industry has got any notification so far. Maybe it has not reached them."
Mr Sridhar did not say how many mines could be in the dock, but the state has been investigating miners as has been done in Orissa and Karnataka.
Goa produces about 45 million tonnes of iron ore, mostly powdery, low grade iron ore fines, but has a significant role in the foreign market as most of it gets exported to China. Any bar on mining in Goa could see iron ore prices rising overseas, which will be mirrored in the Indian market as well and that could hurt steel companies in the country.
Over 400 iron ore traders in Goa have come under the scanner after a preliminary inquiry by the Central government appointed Shah Commission pointed to large scale illegal mining in the state.
The state mines and geology department has summoned all the traders registered with it to verify the source from which they have been procuring the ore.
calculating the amount of ore extracted in the state and quantity of ore exported through the two ports - Mormugao Port Trust and Panaji Port.
The records accessed by PAC revealed that 1.52 crore tones of iron ore was exported evading royalty to the state government in the last five years.
Parrikar claimed that the overall quantum of illegal mining would be much more as what we speak of is just the figure of iron ore exported without paying royalty.
"PAC is also probing the figures of iron ore extracted without environment clearances and also through illegal mines," he said, adding that the aggregate of this would give the specific quantity of illegal iron ore mining in the state.
PAC would be tabling its report before the state legislative assembly on October 5, on the first day of the session.
Parrikar refused to divulge details of the PAC report stating that the document would be made public only after tabling it on the floor of the House.
PAC has also stumbled upon several environment clearances granted by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) without mentioning survey number and TC (title concession) number on it.
Parrikar said that he had raised the issue in the state legislative assembly in which almost 50% of the environment clearances were without these numbers, which are crucial to point out the exact location of the mining lease.
"Many mines are outside the lease area and Goa government knows about it," the Leader of Opposition said, adding of the total of 90 mining leases, 25 to 30 have major violations which warrant their closure.
Documents clearly show the Goa government has been complicit in the illegal mining.
“Nearly 1.4 lakh trees have been butchered to make way for mines in forest areas,” said Manohar Parrikar, opposition leader and chairman of the PAC probing the illegal mining. The PAC will submit its report on The PAC will submit its report on October 5 or 6.
The law mandates that four times the forest cover lost to mining be compensated through reforestation. The state, though, has undertaken only 2.5% afforestation.
Principal chief conservator of forests Shashi Kumar defended his decision to allow mines to operate close to wildlife sanctuaries. “We sought legal opinion from the Advocate General, who said mines could be allowed to operate temporarily,” he said.
Meanwhile, the woes of villagers in the hamlets ofThapaner and Khadapwada continue as illegal mining transportation carried out during darkness in Cumbharjua-Tiswadi has given them sleepless nights.
As local youth - with political blessings - are involved in this activity, it has become difficult for concerned and environment-conscious villagers, to raise their voices against this illegality.
Environmental activist Ramesh Gauns of Bicholim said, "There is great demand for low grade iron ore which is mixed with high grade iron ore brought from Karnataka, and which is exported to China. Due to this illegal excavation of ore, it's transportation is flourishing on a large scale in Goa."
Cumbharjua sarpanch Surendra Naik, when contacted, said, "I am not aware of illegal mining transportation in my village at present. There was some transportation of ore, a few days ago. This has been stopped."
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a villager said, "Transportation of iron ore begins every night after 12am. More than 30 trucks transport ore through Thapaner every night. Immediately after Ganesh Chaturthi, mining ore transportation has taken momentum and we have become victims of air as well as noise pollution. As local youth are involved, no one dares to lodge a complaint with the police or directorate of mines and geology."
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