PANJIM: In what could be termed as another blow to the mining industry, MoEF has kept the ECs of 139 mines in abeyance, asking lessees to forward documents to it for verification.

They have also been slapped with show cause notices as to why mines should not be closed due to various alleged violations under EPA and EC. The official suspension follows the announcement made by Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan during her state visit last week. This announcement from MoEF comes close on the heels of suspension of ore extraction at all mines in the state, ordered by the state government last week. The state government ordered suspension of ore extraction after disclosure by the Shah Commission that all 90 mines are operating illegally.