Panaji (Goa) Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) today declined to amend or grant any Consent to Operate to the mining units in the State, thereby enhancing the iron ore extraction limit, as proposed by the State Mines department.

The decision is in the wake of Supreme Court judgment that has quashed second renewals of 88 mining leases.

DMG has redistributed the extraction limit among operational mines to achieve the 20 million tonne cap.

GSPCB, via a letter dated March 5 has declined the proposal of mines department that has approached the Board for necessary permission.

“”The Supreme Court of India judgment has been legally examined by the Board,” GSPCB member secretary Levinson Martins said.

“And in this regard it is concluded that in light of the findings and directions as contained in the afforested judgment dated February 7, passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and in light of the second renewal of mining leases being quashed by virtue of the said judgment, the Board as on this date will not consider granting any consents or amending any consent to operate in respect of any mining unit, under the Water Act and Air Act,” Martins added.