NT Reporter Panaji
Indicating that Goa’s iron ore mining industry is yet to return to normal, revenue generated from mining leases in the state decreased by 9% to Rs 109.8 crore in 2024-25 from Rs 121 crore in 2021-22, the government disclosed to the legislative assembly on Tuesday.
In the current year, up to June, the state earned Rs 33.9 crore as mining revenue, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday, replying to a question tabled by Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai. The total revenue includes proceeds of e-auctioned ore and royalty income.
Moreover, the royalty amount also includes dues raised through scrutiny of accounts by the chartered account (CA) committee for the years 2009 to 2013. Royalty paid by mining leaseholders was Rs 22.9 crore this year, and Rs 23 crore in 2024-25.
Sawant, who is the mines minister, said that 12 mineral blocks have been auctioned till date. In phase 1, four blocks were auctioned, followed by five blocks in phase II and three blocks auctioned in phase III. He said no revenue or royalty has been collected as of date from the sale of iron ore dumps.
In reply to another question asked by Sardesai, the government said four agencies were hired in the last five years for carrying out survey works of dumps and quality analysis of ore for auction. The agencies include Sai Universal Mining Services, Global Environment & Mining Services, Minerals Lab Services Pvt Ltd and Sinha Mining Consultancy.
Under the recommendation of NEERI report, which is also a part of Supreme Court order in the W.P. (Civil) 435 of 2012 filed by Goa Foundation, the present capping for the state is 20 million tonnes per annum for fresh mining and 25 million tonnes per annum for dump mining, informed the government.
ore mining industry revenue
