A sustainable path to development has profound consequences for all economic activities and related policies. The mining industry, which provides input to almost every product and service in the world, is highly relevant to the goal of achieving sustainable development in mineral-rich countries and in the global economy.

A white paper on income prepared by Goa Livelihoods Forum, a non-profit organisation, has pointed out that while closure of mines in Goa has led to a drastic dip in savings of households involved in the industry, the state's high per capita income has restricted a large number of people from availing government welfare schemes.