TNN Apr 4, 2012

PANAJI: The mines and geology department on Tuesday suspended more than 448 mining trade licences for the next 15 days pending verification of documents.

Director of mines Prasanna Acharya said, “After consulting with advocate general Atmaram Nadkarni on the suspension of trading licences, we have issued a common order under the Mining Regulation Act for the suspension to all mining traders in the state.”

The mines department has given a 15-day time limit to all traders to submit the necessary documents to show that they are genuine traders and not involved in illegal mining activities.

“We have to verify record to see who are allegedly involved in illegal mining,” Acharya said. The verification of documents will commence from Wednesday.

“If they are not found to be genuine we will have no option but to take necessary action,” said Acharya. The mining department will study the documents case by case. If the documents are not genuine then their licences will be revoked,” said Acharya. The mining department has also included the traders registered during the election period.

The department has planned to launch a software which can be used by both Goa Minerals Ore Exports Association (GMOEA) and the department to tally production and exports of iron ore from the state. “We have planned to ensure that there isn’t a single tonne’s difference between the production and exporters’ figures from the department and GMOEA from this year onwards. In a week’s time we will have the software,” he added.

The mining department is also exploring the possibility that they can act under the mining regulation to impose certain restrictions banning new trucks or fixing a deadline by which truck owners must register with the department.

“We are exploring the possibility of issuing commercial badges for mining truck drivers,” he said

The new director has also directed the mining department staff to streamline records and if necessary they can approach mines owners to get the records if they are not available with the department for certain reasons. The government also issued orders to cancel the extension of assistance technical officer of mining department Hector Fernandes.