The directorate of mines and geology has finalised the draftrulesfor the functioning of Goaminingcorporation. Thedraftrules will be sent to the chief minister Pramod Sawant for administrative approval before referring it to the law department for vetting.
The Act that paved the way for the corporations formation was passed during the last assembly session. Earlier in September, the governor granted his assent to the bill, making it an Act and setting the stage for thecorporation.
Mining in Goa came to a halt in March 2018, after The Supreme Court quashed the second renewal of 88 mining leases. On September 7, the apex court dismissed an appeal filed by mining companies to allow them to operate mining leases till 2037.
The has tentatively finalised eight mining leases to be auctioned in Bicholim and Sattari talukas. Out of the eight leases shortlisted by the government, five are at Bordem in Bicholim and three in Sattari, including two in Pissurlem and one in Poriem.
The mining concessions in the state were granted under the decree of 1906. On December 19, 1961, Goa, Daman and Diu were liberated from Portuguese rule and Goa became a part of India. However, the concessions were deemed to have expired on December 12, 1961, which was the appointed date as per the Abolition Act, 1987, from which date the concessions were treated as deemed leases under MMDR Act.