The Goa government cleared the much-awaited mining policy promising lifting of the temporary suspension on mining operations in the state on case-wise basis and also ruling out auctioning of leases. With the policy deciding to grant leases to their earlier owners on a case-to-case basis, it is expected to open doors for the iron ore extraction activity in the coastal state, which has been on hold since last two years following directives by the Supreme Court. The current policy, shaped on the lines with directives of the apex court which has lifted the ban on the industry with certain conditions, is viewed as a major respite to the existing mine owners.