35 mines in Goa asked to stop production

Wednesday, 03 Aug 2011

Daijiworld Media Network reported that the Goa State Pollution Control Board will be issuing notices to 35 out of 100 odd mines all across the state asking them to suspend their operations immediately.

Mr Simon De Souza chairman of GSPCB said that the mines had failed to get the consent under air and water Pollution control act.

He said “They will have to stop their operations immediately after receiving the order.”

Mr De Souza said that “GSPCB does not have manpower to verify whether the mines have stopped the operations after issuing notices. But if they disobey notices than they will be facing contempt of High court.”

The Bombay High court at Goa had recently asked GSPCB to suspend operations of these mines which are working without getting consent under the act.

Several mines which are operating around wildlife sanctuaries and forest areas have not been given clearance by forest department, which is mandatory to get the consent under the air and water pollution act. Forest department officials have said that the NOC for these mines can be given only after deciding on the buffer zone around wildlife sanctuaries and forest areas.

The closure of these mines would be a major setback for the iron ore export trade. Goa exported 54 million tonnes of ore during last financial year.