India’s Supreme Court has allowed mining firms in Goa to transport royalty paid iron ore till Jan 31, 2021. Miners had sought the extension of the deadline which ended on July 31 as logistics was disrupted due to the COVID-19-related lockdowns.
Supreme court in its ruling provided relief to the mining firms allowing them to shipment ore mined prior to March 15, 2018. Earlier, the court had directed them to transport iron ore within a period of six months from Jan 30 to July 30. Statutory authorities had also delayed the issuance of transit permit for the transportation.
The quantity of mineral ore to be removed would be in accordance with the records maintained by the government. If the miners failed to remove the material before Jan 31, the government would confiscate the mined ore.
The Supreme Court of India had on Feb 7, 2018 cancelled 88 iron ore mining leases in Goa from March 16, 2018 until fresh mining leases and environmental clearances are granted to miners.