Fifteen
mining companies have approached the state government to handle low-grade iron
ore dumps in Goa. The Chief Minister stated that the allotments will follow the
Dump Handling Policy. The government has identified the dumps, and a survey is
being conducted to determine their locations.
Sawant, who is also the mines minister, said that after the policy was notified, mining companies applied for allotments to the directorate of mines and geology (DMG).
He said
that state government has identified the dumps for handling.
The DMG had begun conducting a survey to identify the exact locations of
low-grade iron ore dumps in the state ahead of the auctioning process. Four
teams were constituted to conduct field visits and the teams are continuing to
visit the sites.
The department has data on iron ore dumps based on submissions from the
erstwhile mining lease holders. The DMG has also decided to quantify low-grade
iron ore dumps lying within and outside mineral blocks across Goa.
Ahead
of introducing the new Dump Handling Policy, a drone LiDAR survey was
conducted for volumetric estimation of mining dumps in Goa. LiDAR, or
Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote-sensing tool to survey the earth's
surface.
The Dump Handling Policy, 2023, has paved the way to deal with the 700 million
tonnes of low-grade iron ore lying inside and outside mining leases across the
state and export 25 million tonnes per annum.
The state will auction the dumps in accordance with the e-auction policy
devised for such dumps.
As for the dumps lying within forest areas, including sanctuaries, state
government will seek special approval if required from the Union
environment ministry for their removal. Approval will also be sought for
filling the large pits left behind in closed mines to facilitate afforestation
and wildlife preservation.