The Goa government is mulling tapping the iron ore rich mines not covered by a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that effectively shutdown mining operations in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said.
As many as 88 out of the 300-odd mining leases in Goa have run into legal hurdle, stalling operations in the sector, a key source of livelihood for local people and also revenue for the state government.
Sawant told PTI that while solution for resuming work on the 88 mining leases mired in legal tangle will be explored in the apex court, the industry can be revived by tapping mining leases that do not fall under the ambit of the SC order.
He said the state government has already begun working with experts to find a legal solution for the current impasse on 88 mining leases arising out of the SC verdict.