PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board began hearing the defence of 43 mining firms, which had been accused of mining iron ore in excess of production limit.

Sesa Goa, from whose 20 mining leases excess ore has been mined, has been given time till December 7 to reply, after its officials requested more time to reply, Monday. GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said that the hearings will continue till November 24 and the final decision would be taken before end of December.