Sesa Goa, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, today admitted that consent under the Air and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was not granted for its mine at Mulgao village, whose tailing wall collapsed last week inundating several fields.

“The company had applied for renewal of consent from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the same is under process,” a company statement said.

Around 500 paddy growers and 30 horticulture plantations were affected after silt rushed through the farms. One person was washed away due to the flow of water but was later rescued by locals.

A company spokesman said the company will be preparing a detailed report to avoid mining mishaps during monsoons.

“Our company is committed to ensuring a speedy resolution in a transparent manner. Despite following our best mine management practices, owing to the extraordinarily heavy rains that the State received recently, a settling pond breached,” the spokesman said referring to the mishap at Mulgao on July 16.

“Our teams have been working fervently, right after the incident, to ensure fast and effective assistance is offered to those affected,” the spokesman said.

Company officials have said that adequate measures have been taken to contain the situation and to ensure that similar incidents do not recur in future at any of Sesa Goa’s mines.

“Presently, technical experts are conducting an extensive study and will submit a comprehensive report along with an infallible plan for the future,” the spokesman said.

“The damage to agricultural property is being assessed in consultation with the local community and State Government officials. In addition to adequate compensation for crop loss, Sesa Goa will assist the local community in cultivation activities and will aid in the restoration of the affected agricultural properties,” the statement said.

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