PANAJI: Union Minister for Mines G Kishan Reddy today announced that full-fledged iron ore mining activities in Goa are expected to resume within the next six months.
He assured that environmental concerns, revenue generation, and employment opportunities would be addressed as the Goa government adheres to Supreme Court norms governing mining operations.
“Had a productive discussion on each mineral block in Goa, Goa Govt is following all the norms laid down by the SC in regards to mining. Full-fledged mining activities will begin in the next 6 months. All aspects like environment, revenue, and employment will be taken care of,” Reddy told media persons after a review meeting with the Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Reddy chaired a review meeting with Sawant to explore the status of auctioned mines, auction plan for more mineral blocks and plans to auction non-operational mining leases.
Later, Sawant welcomed the Centre’s push to revive Goa’s mining sector, emphasizing its significance to the state’s economy.
He informed that Goa has auctioned 12 mineral blocks, of which nine are expected to commence operations soon. “While 2-3 blocks are awaiting clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Union Minister has assured expedited approvals, and I am confident that mining operations will commence this year,” Sawant said.
Sawant also highlighted the importance of critical minerals for industries such as electronics, defence, and renewable energy, stating, "Securing their supply chain is crucial, especially in the current global geopolitical scenario.
Reddy’s announcement came during the launch of India’s first-ever exploration licence (EL) auction, aimed at boosting mineral exploration through private sector involvement and enhanced transparency. The launch includes 13 blocks for critical and deep-seated minerals such as rare-earth elements, lead, zinc, diamond, gold, copper, PG, and vanadium, spread across multiple states.
Under the new framework, private companies will be able to explore areas of up to 1,000 sq km. “This approach would encourage efficiency, innovation, and detailed exploration in the most promising areas,” Reddy said.
The minister also emphasised the significance of the amendment to the MMDR Act in 2023, which introduced the exploration licence as a new mineral concession category. “This reform aims to address gaps in the previous system that restricted private sector participation to fully explored blocks or preliminary exploration areas,” he said.
Reddy also announced the certification of three new Notified Private Exploration Agencies, expected to play a vital role in driving India's exploration capabilities. To support the sector, the government has launched the National Geoscience Data Repository, a centralised GIS-based platform providing real-time geoscientific data for investors and exploration firms.
Noting the global demand for minerals such as lithium and selenium, which is expected to triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, Reddy stressed their importance for industries like battery storage, solar panels, semiconductors, and medical technology.
The government has allocated Rs 16,000 crore for the National Critical Mineral Mission and Rs 18,000 crore for investments to strengthen India’s position in the global critical minerals supply chain. Additionally, duty-free import of 24 critical minerals has been allowed to support domestic industries.
Encouraging private sector firms to explore opportunities both in India and abroad, Reddy announced the initiation of offshore mining for the first time with the auction of 13 offshore mineral blocks. He also mentioned plans to introduce a tailing policy for better resource efficiency and sustainable management.
