Record iron ore export last year
PTI, PANAJI | 08 September 2011 22:21 IST
Goa, one of the major iron ore-producing state, registered its highest exports from the mineral ore at its twin ports, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and Panaji Minor Port, last financial year.
A total of 54.45 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore, a raw material that sees huge demand from the steel industry, was exported from Goan ports, of which 47.23 mt was of Goan origin and the rest was sourced from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), an umbrella organisation of ore exporters, have compiled the figures, which indicate that iron ore exports stood at an all-time high in the 2010-11 financial year.
About 46.84 mt of iron ore were exported from both the ports to various countries, including China, which accounted for more than 90 per cent of overseas consignments, followed by Japan.
The growing exports come at a time when there is a demand by environmentalists and political parties for imposition of an upper ceiling on the quantum of ore mined within Goa.
China, the main international buyer of India's iron ore produce, bought 48.93 mt of ore last financial year. The country surpassed India's traditional largest buyer, Japan, which purchased only 3.4 mt of ore from Goa during the 2010-11 financial year.
Consignments were also shipped from Goan ports to countries like South Korea, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Thailand, Netherlands, Romania and Italy, but at a lower scale compared to the gigantic demand of China.
I donot know whether we should be proud to export such huge quantity of Natural resources belonging to the State in such a short time. Do we really understand as to what we are doing and what will be the long term and short term effects on us and our future generations? Do we know as to what will be the effects of such large exploitation , on the land and its masses...?
The greed of a few humans has always been causing serious threats to the whole society--as our history teaches us.....It appears true that nothing matters when it comes to personal greed..........God save us...
May be Hon. Justice M.B.Shah 's visit to the State for investigating the illegal Mining, could result in preserving this small State in better conditions for the future generations....