The Goa Government today told the Legislative Assembly that there was no illegal mining in the forest areas of the State and 26 sanctioned mining leases were operating after environmental clearance.
The State Forest and Environment Minister, Ms Alina Saldanha, told the Assembly session that “there is no illegal mining being carried out in the forest areas.”
The list given on the floor of the House mentioned that there are 26 mining leases which are operational by the State’s mining giants including V. M. Salgaoncar & Bros Pvt Ltd, Sociedade Timblo Irmao Ltd and Talaulicar & Sons Pvt Ltd.
Salgaoncar & Bros have six mines in the forest areas, while Sociedade Timblo Irmao have four.
Ms Saldanha said legal mining was being permitted in the forest areas after the user agency (mine owner) had obtained clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, from the Centre.
Denying any illegal mining in forest areas, Ms Saldanha said, “If any illegal mining in forest areas is observed, action is taken to stop the mining activity and the agencies concerned or authorities are informed to take legal action as per law.”
The State Mines and Geology Department had recently written a letter to both the North and South Goa District Collectors asking them to identify any illegal mining in forest areas.
The Government has also asked ground level officials to identify whether forest areas were used to store the illegally extracted ore.