The state government had suspended licences of all the 460 odd iron ore traders and made them file fresh applications, in a bid to curb illegal iron ore mining.

Mines and Geology Director Prasanna Acharya said the department has received applications only from 186 traders.

Justice M B Shah Commission which enquired into illegal mining in the state had pointed out that traders were an important loop that needs to be tackled to curb illegal mining activity.

Several traders were working with fake postal addresses and the department was finding it difficult to put a check on them.

Initiating a clean-up operation after taking over the reign, Chief minister Manohar Parrikar had suspended all 460 licences of traders and asked them to apply again with proper documents including copies of their contract with mining lease holders.