Panaji, Nov 24, : .The Goa government will auction “six-to eight” iron ore mining blocks by December 15.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated Wednesday. The Chief Minister’s decision comes at a moment when the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)-led coalition government in state has been criticized for its tardive efforts to restart the state’s mining industry ahead of the 2022 state Assembly elections.
After a meeting with the state cabinet, Sawant addressed reporters and stated that the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited was being appointed to explore the nearly 90 Goa mining leases for potential mineral prospects.
“The cabinet has approved the MECL for the assessment of mineral ore for the first stage of the auction.We are selling six to eight blocks.
“They are currently exploring to determine which blocks will eventually be selected.
Sawant stated that after that auctioning will take place by the State Bank of India.He also said that the MEPL has already begun exploration of mining leases in order to determine the quantity of below-surface mineral reserves.
“Our auctioning process will be completed by December 15.He stated that auction will be conducted through the corporation (Goa Mineral Development Corporation), but that we will also take SBI on board.
This auctioning move is significant ahead of the Assembly elections, as new mining excavation in the state has been stopped since 2018, when the Supreme Court revoked 88 mining leases due to irregularities.
The Goa government created the Corporation earlier this year.The Chief Minister is the ex-officio Chairman.It will include top officials, including Secretaries in charge of Finance, Mines, and Environment.
The Corporation will also include a lawyer appointed by the state government, two chartered accountants with experience and a government-nominated geologist.
The Corporation is authorized to obtain mining leases/grants and grant prospecting licences, etc., under the Mines and mineral Development and Regulation Act of 1957 and to carry out all mining operations.
The Corporation could also operate other mining-related businesses, including extraction, transport, and export of ore.
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