Mine owners told to do GPS survey
PTI, PANAJI | 03 May 2013 19:29 IST
Goa Mines and Geology department has asked all mining lease holders in the state to conduct the digital global positioning survey (DGPS) by mid-June.
It will ascertain boundaries and violations by mining operators.
Director of Mines and Geology, Prasanna Acharya in a circular issued this week has asked all the valid mining leases to carry out DGPS survey through the state empanelled agencies.
The cost of the survey will have to be borne by the respective mining lease holder, the circular said.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest data reveals that there are 139 mining leases in the state.
The survey will have to be completed by June 15, 2013.
The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) had asked the mining lease holders to conduct such a survey, after it was noticed in the Justice M B Shah Commission report that several of the mine owners have violated the boundaries and encroached outside their leases.
The Commission had estimated that the illegally extracted ore was to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore.
The mine owners had disputed the claims of Shah Commission claiming that the survey was conducted by them (commission) through hand-held GPS, which was not accurate gadget for the purpose.
