Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Reaffirming its commitment to a balanced approach to mining, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the Goa government intends to revive mining operations in a sustainable manner, ensuring protection of the environment and the interests of local communities.
Speaking at the inauguration of a one-day workshop on “Mineral Exploration in Goa: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward” at Porvorim, the Chief Minister stressed that all stakeholders — including farmers, locals, and environmentalists — must be taken into confidence before restarting mining activities in the state.
The workshop was organised by the Department of Mines to bring together experts, officials, and industry representatives to deliberate on responsible mineral exploration and development in Goa.
Dr. Sawant emphasised the need for low-impact, technology-driven mining aligned with Goa’s fragile biodiversity. “We need a strategy that includes community participation, skill development, and employment generation so that the mineral wealth of Goa benefits Goans,” the Chief Minister said.
Director (Technical), MECL, Pankaj Pandey, highlighted the vast geological potential of Goa, pointing to mineral-rich belts in Bicholim, Sanguem, and Quepem, along with promising offshore zones. He assured MECL’s full support in exploration, auction assistance, and advisory services for sustainable resource development.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Mines, Shri R. Vijay Kumar, stated that Goa’s geology, coastal location, and legacy of mining position it well to enhance India’s mineral security. He pledged continued technical and scientific assistance from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to help unlock the state’s mineral potential responsibly.
Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Mines) Dr. V. Candavelou, IAS, also addressed the gathering.
The technical sessions featured experts from GSI, MECL, SBI CAPS, IBM, and GCCI, who spoke on topics including geological assessments, valuation of auctionable blocks, environmental clearances, and capacity building under NMET. The event concluded with a shared resolve to pursue a transparent, community-led, and environmentally conscious mining policy for Goa.
