Goa budget: Targeting Rs500cr revenue, 9 mining leases to be auctioned

Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced the auction of nine mining leases in the state and set a target of Rs 500 crore in revenue from the mining sector. Sawant said that 12 lakh tonnes of iron ore lying at jetties and plots will be auctioned.

State govt has auctioned 12 mineral blocks, which consist of 24 mining leases. Sawant said that the auctioning of dump mines will commence this year.

Operations have been strengthened with Bhumija, an end-to-end GPS and GIS-based ore management system, which has been integrated with all mining-related infrastructure to regulate, track, and manage the movement of ore in real time, Sawant said.

“My govt has conducted the 30th e-auction for 7.5 lakh tonnes of ore, and around 12 lakh tonnes of ore will be publicly auctioned,” Sawant said.

He said that regarding the mining of minor minerals, govt has identified 12 zones for sand extraction in Zuari and Mandovi rivers. A total of 185 applications have been received, and environmental clearance has been granted.

“Once the Coastal Regulation Zone permission is received, permits will be given for 70% traditional and 30% non-traditional miners,” Sawant said. “Also, my govt has already increased the validity of leases from the existing five years to 30 years for all the fresh grants and renewal of leases,” he added.