Panaji (GOA): The mineral concessions for the minor minerals including sand, basalt etc, in the State is likely to be granted through auctions in future.

During the recently held Central Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee (CCEC) meeting in New Delhi, Director of Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) Prasanna Acharya informed that State is in process of drafting Minor Mineral Rules and in that auction method has been used to grant mineral concession for minor minerals.

The decision has been taken following directions from the Union Mines Ministry, which asked all the mineral rich state to adopt auction mode for granting concessions to minor minerals.

Currently, the concessions are granted through normal process, wherein the interested parties submit applications for undertaking sand mining or basalt and stone quarrying, etc to the DMA. The department then scrutinizes the application and grant permissions for the same.

During the meeting, Acharya said that government is also considering adopting the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) and Star Rating system for the minor minerals.

States are asked to confirm their acceptance to the Ministry within a month.

The MSS has already been put to use for 65 iron ore mining leases and 42 triggers have been generated and all are inspected.

Further, Government is also considering setting up of District Mineral Fund for minor minerals. The Central government’s ambitious Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations will be also implemented using the funds for minor minerals.

DMF is already in place for the iron ore lease holders, wherein government has so far collected Rs 132 crores.

Team TNV