India: SC Permits Transportation of Iron Ore from Goan Mines Extracted Before 15 Mar'18
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The Honourable Supreme Court of India, on Thursday (30th Jan'20) allowed mining firms to transport the validly mined ore from the Goan mines if they have paid the royalty to the government and mined before 15 Mar'18. The miners are permitted to transport the royalty paid mineral from the jetties, stockyard or pitheads only if they bear the valid transit permit issues. The material is to be transported within six months starting from 30th Jan'20.
The apex court had earlier banned mining and transportation of iron ore in Goa.
In 2012, the apex court had declared all the mining held post 2007 as illegal and said all the ore lying at jetties and plots (15 MnT) is state's property.
The Supreme Court of India in early Feb'18 said that the 88 iron ore mine leases that were granted second renewal in violation are directed to stop all mining operations with effect from 16 Mar'18 until fresh mining leases are granted and fresh environmental clearances are granted. Thus the 2nd renewal granted to the mines by state of Goa is liable to be set aside and stands quashed.
The mines were permitted to export iron ore mined previously to the ban imposition, on which royalty was paid, and material lying at jetties, with the halt in new mining operations. Out of the total 88 mining leases, few were amalgamated owing to common environmental clearances, reducing to 37 working and 31 non working mines.
