PANJIM: Officials of mining firms which were hauled up before GSPCB for having indulged in excess iron ore extraction, on Tuesday refuted the charges claiming that they had not exceeded limits set out in the environment clearance (EC), granted to them by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).

During the hearing before the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the firms said that the figures produced by petitioner Goa Foundation, are contradictory. GSPCB is hearing the defence of officials of 43 mining firms, accused of extracting iron ore beyond the permissible limit. The hearing will continue till November 23.