Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a move that could speed up the long-awaited resumption of iron ore mining in Goa, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEF&CC) Advisory Committee has approved the transfer of forest clearances from former leaseholders to new allottees without insisting on fresh permissions.
The decision, taken at the Committee’s meeting on July 25, addresses a key hurdle in the restart of mining operations. Goa’s mining sector has remained shut since the Supreme Court scrapped 88 leases, which are now being reallocated through auctions. Of these, 12 mineral blocks have already been awarded, while four more are slated for auction shortly.
According to the panel, clearances will be passed on under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, provided that new leaseholders strictly comply with all original conditions and any subsequent regulatory updates.
The Goa government had earlier sought continuity of such approvals under Section 8B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021, to ensure a smooth transition. While environmental clearances were automatically nullified, the status of forest and wildlife approvals was ambiguous, prompting the state to seek clarity from the Centre.
The Advisory Committee referred to the Consolidated Guidelines issued in December 2023, which allow case-by-case transfers of approvals subject to compliance. These include confirmation of compensatory afforestation, proof of Net Present Value (NPV) payments, progress on mine reclamation and rehabilitation plans, updates on conservation fund utilisation through the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), reports on violations by previous operators, and clearance of forest land in designated safety zones.
With this mechanism in place, industry stakeholders expect quicker operationalization of mines, giving a significant boost to state revenues and reviving employment opportunities in the sector.
