Lok Sabha Question No. 1762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Resumption of Mining Activity in Goa
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1762

ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## RESUMPTION OF MINING ACTIVITY IN GOA

1762. SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the mining activity that has resumed in Goa with the first leaseholder has been violating most of the statutory provisions governing sustainable mining and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Union Government is aware that the State Government is commencing mining regulation with less/inadequate staff and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that mining has commenced with no officials of Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) or the Director of Mines & Geology at mine sites and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether most of the new mining blocks are commencing mining operations without obtaining surface rights from Goan villagers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government is aware that all Ore extracted from new mining blocks is being  sold  without  grading  by  the  authorities  and  self  declaration  is  accepted  for payment of royalty and other charges and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a): As per existing law, before execution of the mining lease by the State Government, it is mandatory for the prospective lessees to obtain the requisite statutory clearances. The lease holders are required to ensure compliance of the terms and conditions of the  clearances and approvals accorded by the respective authorities, failing which necessary action is taken by the concerned authorities of the State Government or Central Government under the respective Acts and applicable Rules / Guidelines.
- (b): As per information provided by Government of Goa, manpower assessment for 2024 & 2025 has been done by the Directorate of Mines and Geology as per which final sanctioned staff strength is 125. To meet the deficiency, technical staff has been recruited by the Directorate on contractual basis.

(c): As per the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, mining can only be undertaken as per a valid mining lease. As per Rule 20 of  the  Mineral  Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 (MCDR 2017), a lease holder is required to send a notice for opening of mine to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) within fifteen days of such opening. As per the provisions of MCDR 2017, monthly returns are submitted by the lessees to IBM.

As  per  information  provided  by  Government  of  Goa,  the  Directorate  of  Mines  and Geology has introduced Ore Monitoring System software i.e. Bhumija wherein the production  and  dispatch  of  ore  are  monitored.  Each  truck  is  fitted  with  Global Positioning System and the ore movement is tracked online. There are weighbridges setup at the leases where every dispatch is weighed and online transit permits are issued. Further, the statutory payments such as royalty, District Mineral Fund, Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund, National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust and other payments are made online through this system.

(d):  Government of Goa has informed that all matters related to compensation are subject to decision by the Additional Collector as per the Notification No. 03/27/2024/Major/Mines/3092 dated 23.01.2025 of the State Government.

(e): As per information provided by Government of Goa, the Directorate of Mines and Geology draws samples from the ore stacks which are analysed with respect to grade by  NABL  (National  Accreditation  Board  for  Testing  and  Calibration  Laboratories) accredited lab based on which the royalty is taken from the lessees.

Further, Ministry of Mines has issued guidelines on 03.10.2023 to major mineral rich States for prevention of mis-classification of grades of iron ore and other minerals by using technology. The State Governments have been requested to implement the said guidelines  by  suitably  incorporating  the  same  in  the  rules  framed  by  the  State Governments  under  Section  23  C  of  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and Regulation) Act, 1957.

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