Even though mining operations remain suspended in the western Indian state of Goa, the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) is continuing its investigation into illegal mining in the region and has issued show-cause notices to nine mining lease holders, a government official said on Wednesday, August 9.
The official said violations detected by IBM included mining of iron ore beyond permissible limits, violation of environmental laws and modification of mining plans as approved by IBM.
The IBM show-cause notices issued for illegal mining are separate from cases of previous illegal mining which are also under investigation by the police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), the official said.
Meanwhile, in another related development, the national auditors, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in a report published last week, estimated that during the 2009-16 period iron ore worth $302 million was extracted illegally.
India’s Supreme Court banned all mining operations in Goa between 2012 and 2014 after numerous petitions filed against illegal mining operations in the state.