Goa government has finally resolved to shut down the mines pouring manganese and iron ore in the Selaulim reservoir, the source of potable water for 55 per cent of the state population.

The state will have to shut down the mines operating within the river zone of Selaulim dam, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters yesterday. "We have to stop all mines pouring in material (iron ore and manganese) in Selaulim reservoir," Parrikar said.

Coal India Ltd. (CIL) is set to take an annual hit of Rs.600 crore in its input costs due to the diesel price hike.

A one rupee increase in diesel price impacts CIL to the tune of Rs. 120 crore, according to its Chairman and Managing Director S. Narsing Rao. The company , however, was not taking any decision to pass on the increase to its consumers, he said while talking to reporters after the company’s 38th annual meeting. “We will see,” he said when asked about a price revision.

PANJIM: The Forest Department has started the process of revoking wildlife clearances granted in forest areas and has so far withdrawn such clearances granted to seven mines operating within 10 kilometers of the boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries.

Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Richard D’Souza told a representation led by Dr Claude Alvares in the presence of media on Tuesday here, that the secretary of forests, has revoked six wildlife clearances, whereas permissions of remaining 36 mines will be withdrawn when environmental clearance (ECs) are received from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).

Environment and Forests Ministry panel stipulates 8 conditions

After three years, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has granted environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the establishment of a captive jetty for the 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Thermal Power Project at Cheyyur in Kancheepuram district. Stipulating eight conditions, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on CRZ clearances has finally given the nod for the captive jetty at Panayiyur for handling coal to be imported for the plant. The jetty will be located five km away from the project site.

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.

PANJIM: Tightening the screws on the state government for its seemingly belligerent attitude on mining dumps, the Ministry of Environments and Forests (MoEF) has issued show cause notices to 46 companies for mining from low grade iron ore /reject dumps in the State.

The 46 mining companies have been issued show cause notices for allegedly violating provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2006. The notices dated September 9, 2012 and issued under section 5 of Environment Protection Act (EPA) 1986, have to be replied to within 15 days stating why environmental clearances (ECs) granted to them should not be revoked, and direction for their closure not be issued under the Environment Protection Act

Amid widespread anticipation that the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) might recommend cancellation of more coal block allotments after naming four such distributions last week, the promoters of Navabharat power project and sources in Odisha government said there is uncertainty over the 2,250 MW power project of the company in the state.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against Navabharat Power Private Ltd for selling the company to Essar Power Ltd in an irregular manner after getting coal allocation in Rampia and Dip side of Rampia blocks in western Odisha.

Projects steel demand at 202-233 MT

The draft National Steel Policy has pegged the country's steel making capacity in the range of 244-281 million tonne by 2025-26. The policy seeks to replace the existing one that was formulated in 2005, and suggest ways to create an environment conducive for the growth of the industry that is plagued by issues such as land acquisition and raw material scarcity.

VASCO: The environmental public hearing on coal and iron dust pollution in Vasco witnessed noisy scenes, even as the meeting had to be postponed as Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) failed to serve 30 days notice.

The GSPCB in a notification dated August 31 had fixed the public hearing in the Mormugao Municipal Council hall, Vasco, on Sunday. The public hearing was convened as part of the public consultation process in grant of environmental clearance for the development of 7.2 million metric tonnes per annum (MMPTA) iron-ore export terminal west of breakwater on DBFOT basis at Mormugao Port.

A public interest litigation (PIL) seeking cancellation of lease and environmental clearance granted to Ambuja Cement Ltd for mining in Verval region of Junagadh district has been filed in the Gujarat Hgih court. The PIL also seeks stay on mining activities of the company while the case was pending with the court.

The petitioner Paryavaran Bachav Samiti (PBS) has also alleged that the cement company had indulging in theft of minerals worth over Rs 5 crore from government owned land and sought penal actions against Ambjua Cement Ltd under the India Penal Code (IPC).