12 mining leases get extension but with conditions

The Goa State Pollution Control Board on Monday has decided to grant an extension to 12 mining leases in the state. These include 6 mines from Sonshi cluster in Bicholi, but this time with a condition.

The truck must avoid entering the interiors of the village, which wasn’t the case earlier

The consent to operate these mining leases had expired on 31^st of December.

The lease operators had approached pollution Control Board for permissions to extend the validity which is now approved.

The decision was taken during first meeting of newly constituted board of directors of the Goa State Pollution Control Board.

The take away from the latest development is while the extension has been granted,

Pollution Control Board wants the mine operators to avoid interiors of the villages.

Keeping the latest Sonshi controversy in mind, during the mid last year villagers of Sonshi had protested against the transporters of iron ore that were passing through their villages causing high levels of pollution and health implications.

Now the board wants them to reduce the mining transport by 25%.