Panaji (Goa) Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has recommended 25 per cent reduction in the iron ore transportation in Sonshi village, while it declined to cap the fresh ore extraction limit.

Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in April, 2017 had suspended mining activities of 12 leases in Sonshi cluster following air and water pollution crisis.

 “The Board may consider imposing a 25 per cent reduction of ore-transportation along the Sonshi and mandate transportation along the alternate route as per the Plan of Action (PoA) submitted by the mining firms,” DMG has said in the submission to the Board

However, the DMG said that it would not be prudent to cap the extraction limit. “Unless a threshold limit per season is not arrived at by daily monitoring and analysis of data and modulating the number of trips by trial and error basis, it would not be prudent to cap the extraction limit,” DMG said.

 “As such, GSPCB may consider grant of consent to operate under Air and Water Act to all the leases situated in Sonshi cluster unless there are specific reasons other than transportation concerning leases in the board meeting as deemed fit,” it added.

The Board is expected to meet on January 8 to decide on the Consent to Operate to these 12 mining leases.

Board has till date granted consent to only 12 mining leases.