Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In what could further boost mining resumption, the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has recommended grant of Environmental Clearances (ECs) to three iron ore mineral blocks located in North. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) is the final authority for issuing EC under EIA Notification 2006.
The three mineral blocks are Cudnem-Cormolem (Block VI) owned by M/S JSW Steel Limited, Cudem Mineral Block (VII) of M/s Vedanta Ltd and Odisha based M/s Kai International Pvt Ltd’s Thivim and Pirna mineral block (VIII).
“After scrutinizing the documents submitted by the project proponents, the committee decided to recommend to the Authority (SEIAA) for grant of environmental clearance under provisions of EIA notification 2006,” reads the minutes of the meeting.
The SEAC said that the EC, does not tantamount to approvals/consent/permissions etc. required to be obtained under any other Act/Rule/regulation and hence has to obtain approvals /clearances under any other Acts/ Regulations or Statutes, as applicable, to the project.
The Cudnem-Cormolem (VI) mineral block, belonging to M/s JSW Steel Limited is located in Bicholim taluka. The company has proposed the production of 0.50 million tonnes of ore per annum from the block, which spans around an area of 38.5143 ha.
The Block VII Cudnem Mineral Block with area 75.3004 Ha Located in Cudnem Village in Bicholim and Sonus Vonvoliem and Onda village in Sattari Taluka. The successful bidder, Vedanta Limited has proposed production of 0.5 MTPA of ore from the block.
As far as the Thivim and Pirna mineral block (VIII) is concerned, the Kai International has proposed production of 0.33 MTPA of ore from the total mining area of 72 ha located in Bardez taluka.
SEAC has directed the companies to first obtain the necessary permission from the Directorate of Mines and Geology with regard to the amount of mineral they can mine per year, before starting its mining operation.
“The preference shall be given to the local people for the purpose of employment as committed before the SEAC,” it said.
