Mines dept invites online applications for granting mining permits within 30 days
PANAJI
After nearly six years, the sand mining activities are set to resume in Goa, with the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) inviting online applications from the local community for grant of sand extraction permits in River Mandovi and Zuari.
Last month, Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) accorded approval for fresh Environmental Clearances (ECs) for sand extraction in 12 zones across the Mandovi and Zuari rivers. The ECs were recommended for sand mining in seven zones in River Mandovi and five in Zuari.
Based on the EC, the DMG has now invited applications from the persons from the local community for sand mining, within a period of 30 days. “The grant of permit is subject to the EC from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority,” DMG said.
Almost 70 per cent of the licences would be issued to traditional extractors with a cap on individual to carry out 1000 cubic metres of sand mining per year as per the Goa Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules 2022.
The activity would be restricted through manual method and use of mechanical equipment, excavator, shovel, heavy-machinery, pump, dredgers, etc are banned. Also, the activities will be undertaken between 6 am to 6 pm only with no sand extraction and allied activities being allowed during monsoon season.
Legal sand mining activities have been banned in the State since 2018 after Goa River Sand Protector’s Network (GRSPN) approached the High Court seeking restrictions on the number of sand mining permits. Later in 2021, it even challenged the ECs granted for sand mining along the stretches of River Chapora.
Based on the District Survey Report (DSR) submitted by the District Collector of South Goa for Mandovi River and Zuari River, the DMG had applied for ECs. As per the study, the Mineral Potential across the Zuari River is 30,81,109 MT and for Mandovi 60,27,899 MT as per the NIO study.
