India: Bombay High Court refuses to stay Goa iron ore block auctions

The High Court of Bombay at Goa has refused to stay Goa's upcoming auctions of iron ore blocks.

As SteelMint reported, MSPL had complained that the tender documents of the four blocks lacked details of their geological reserves, and their last few mining plans.

The Karnataka-based miner had written to the Ministry in New Delhi and also moved court seeking urgent relief on 22 November, 2022, six days before the final date for submissions of technical or first-round of bids.

The High Court, disagreeing with the petitioner, found the NIT, issued on 30 November, had prima facie disclosed adequate information.

It also noted the state's observation on the timing of the petition -- within 24 hours of an SLP by the erstwhile lessees being dismissed by the Supreme Court -- but stopped short of commenting on "the nexus" between the two developments.

The matter comes up again on 14 December.