The annual cap for iron ore production in the western Indian state of Goa is likely to be hiked to 37 million mt for the 2017-18 financial year, compared to 20 million mt in the previous financial year, a Goa government official said on Monday, June 12.
The official said that Goa’s Directorate of Mining has communicated to the Federal Ministry of Environment and Forests that the higher volume of ore that could be extracted during the current fiscal year would be supported by existing environment protection infrastructure and rules in place.
The final proposal for a higher annual ceiling would be submitted for formal approval by India’s Supreme Court which monitors the annual production ceiling in the state, he added.
The increased production ceiling would be applicable for mining operations from October 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018.
Iron ore mining operations in Goa have been suspended effective as of June 1 this year owing to the onset on monsoon rains and are scheduled to restart from October 1.