Goa govt moves to streamline sand and laterite mining permissions

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that he directed the mines department to get the necessary permissions to start sand mining, operate laterite quarries, and commence mining activities.
Sawant held a review meeting with the officials of the directorate of mines and geology and the environment department to streamline the process of granting permission for minor minerals and resolve issues related to major minerals.
“Mining companies raised issues related to major minerals. I directed the mines department to resolve them immediately,” he said.
Speaking on sand extraction in the state, Sawant mentioned that permission for sand extraction is being held up due to CRZ permission from the ministry of environment, forest, and climate change. “We are trying to resolve the issue with the central govt, and once it is resolved, sand mining will commence,” Sawant stated.
The chief minister also said he directed the mines department to start a single-window clearance to grant permission for laterite stone quarries. “We received 28 applications for stone quarries,” Sawant said.
Govt recently auctioned 12 mineral blocks, which consist of 24 mining leases. Sawant mentioned that the auctioning of dump mines will commence this year.