Sixty per cent of India's iron ore exports come from Goa

Goa accounted for 60 per cent of the country's iron ore exports and India exported about 46 million tonnes of the commodity during the year 2008, despite its low grade having Fe content ranging between 58 per cent and 62 per cent.

Because of its low grade, the iron ore produced in the 23-odd mines in the state does not have ready market in the country and hence the iron ore is exported to other countries after resorting to beneficiation, minister of state for environment and forests (independent charge) Jairam Ramesh informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today.

At present, the minister said, only 23 iron ore mines are operating in the state after obtaining the approval to their renewal proposals. The ministry has, so far, granted environmental clearance to 111 iron ore projects in Goa during the period from September 2006 to 30 November 2009.

He said the environment ministry has, so far, granted 46 forest clearances for mining of iron ore under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in Goa. However, in respect of remaining 23 mines, the approvals granted earlier have since expired with effect from 27 November 2007, he added.

Mining activity can only be undertaken after obtaining environmental clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

He said the state government has rejected renewal permission to three mines recently. Revocation of none of them has been received till date.

The minister said environmentalists are objecting to mining activity in the state on the two issues - permitting mining within one km area from the boundary of the national park/sanctuary, and granting environmental clearance to a mining lease involving both forest and non-forest areas.