The Hindu Business Line : South Goa to host meet on mining industry

A TWO-day international seminar on mining industry beginning on Wednesday in South Goa would evaluate the present status of iron ore industry in the country and sketch the strategies to improve the competitive edge in the domestic as well as international markets.

The seminar would be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Mines, Mr Sisaram Ola, while the Goa Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane, would be the chief guest.

Over 450 delegates representing various State and Central government agencies, producers, user industry, technology houses, exporters and infrastructure providers would participate in the seminar. About 150 delegates would be from abroad, particularly from China and Japan, the two leading importers of Goan iron ore.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr R.K. Sharma, General by Federation of Indian Mineral Industry (FIMI), the organisers of the conference, said that among others, the issues to be deliberated the annual international seminar would include improving the methods of mining, exploring for finding new resources, overcoming the infrastructure problems and finding new technologies to use low grade ores and economic use of the ore.

He said the industry was aware of the need to identify the harmonious blend of meeting the export demand and the anticipated increase in the domestic requirements of iron ore with the major aim of full utilisation of the existing production capacities. He expressed deep concern over the enormous delays that have been taking place in clearing the mining leases at all levels which was ultimately adding to the undue delays in the mining operations. As for instance it was pointed out that there were 474 leases granted, but only 247 leases were under operation. The rest were under renewal and mostly pending with state's forest and environment departments.

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