In the project, up to 3 million tonnes of iron ore will be mined annually (MTPA), 25.162 MTPA of waste rock will be excavated, and a 4 MTPA crushing and screening plant will be built on the 478.5206 hectare mine lease area.
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Bicholim Mineral Block in the North Goa district has received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, allowing Vedanta Limited to resume iron ore mining in the state.
In the project, up to 3 million tonnes of iron ore will be mined annually (MTPA), 25.162 MTPA of waste rock will be excavated, and a 4 MTPA crushing and screening plant will be built on the 478.5206 hectare mine lease area.
In the Bicholim taluka, the mine is dispersed throughout the villages of Bicholim, Bordem, Lamgao, Mulgao, Mayem, and Sirigao.
Following thorough discussions at its meeting on December 26, 2023, the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the environment ministry made recommendations in accordance with the environment clearance letter.
Following the EIA Notification of 2006, the ministry reviewed the proposal and approved the EAC’s recommendation.
The clearance for non-coal mining projects requires adherence to 29 standard conditions. It also enumerates twenty-five project-specific requirements that Vedanta Limited must adhere to.
These include court orders, handling issues raised during public hearings, putting the environment management plan into action, and taking steps to conserve wildlife, monitor the quality of the air and water, and reclaim mines.
In an auction held by the state government last year, Vedanta Limited emerged as the top bidder for the Bicholim mine.
After receiving the green light from the Center, Vedanta Limited must now apply for permissions from the State Pollution Control Board and begin mining operations in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the green nod.
