India: Vedanta resumes iron ore mining in Goa but continues to face local opposition

Vedanta has commenced mining of Block one iron ore mine in Bicholim, Goa marking a resumption of pit mining in Goa after nearly six years, according to the company's post on social media handle. Anil Agarwal's company retained this block - the first to be auctioned in the state and one that was operated by its own unit Sesa Goa - quoting a revenue share of 63.55 percent in 2022.

The company declared this landmark as "heralding a new era of inclusive development," however Vedanta continues to face resistance on the ground.

BigMint has learnt that villagers of Pilgaon have blocked a stretch of road through which the company intends to transport material to its jetty. It is a small stretch of public road but was included in the evacuation route it had committed to for its Environmental Clearance.

The company's claim to the road, acquired from Dempo as part of mines it bought, is also under challenge by activists who claim this is tenancy land that could have never been sold. Vedanta which was the first to get an EC and a nod from the state's Pollution Control Board - despite the fact that temples, schools and homes stand within the re-leased area - could face another legal hurdle. The state government is accused of having signed a lease deed with the company two days after the Code of Conduct came into effect for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.