[Goanet] CSE report on mines in South Goa

Hartman de Souza Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:11:51 -0700

Note: The cumulative impact of mines in South Goa

*By the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi*

*October 6, 2008*

Mining has historically played a pivotal part in Goa's economy. Mineral
sector, specifically iron ore mining is significant foreign exchanger earner
for the state. Mining is mostly concentrated in four talukas namely,
Bicholim in North Goa district and Salcete, Sanguem and Quepem in South Goa
district.[1]<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=mjs&ver=L0TusViboKI&am=X_E4pcb3fCGNsZP73g#_ftn1>
Some
400 mining leases had been granted in Goa till 2002-03, covering
approximately 30,325 ha -- this works out to almost eight per cent of the
total area leased out for mining major minerals in the
state.[2]<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=mjs&ver=L0TusViboKI&am=X_E4pcb3fCGNsZP73g#_ftn2>

The number of mines in the state is increasing every year and especially
during the last year (2007-08), it has shown significant growth. Since June
2007, as many as 120 mining project have been submitted with the ministry
for clearance. Of these, the environment appraisal committee has recommended
clearance for overwhelming 48 per cent of the projects (see Graph 1: *High
rate of clearance*). The remaining 52 per cent of the projects are still
pending with ministry. *None *of the mining projects, which came up before
the environment appraisal committee, has been rejected so far. Some projects
received specific attention such as Mahavir Mineral Bauxite Mine (as the
lease area fell in CRZ) and Devapan Dongar Iron & Manganese mine (permission
granted only for iron ore mine and not manganese ore mining because of its
negative environmental impacts.

Graph 1: High rate of clearance

Very few project proponents were asked by the appraisal committee to prepare
a new EIA based on comments made during the public hearing process and
*re-submit
*the EIA report for clearance. These projects include Casarman manganese ore
mine, Molio Dongor manganese ore mine etc (see Annexure 1). However, such
cases are extremely rare and very few. Even in these cases, the clearance
has not been outrightly rejected but the project proponent has been asked to
resubmit with fresh information. If the proponent is able to furnish these,
the appraisal committee in all likely will give green signal to the project.

Large number of mining projects up for clearance also means that large areas
of fertile agricultural land will get diverted for mining. Since June 2007,
the total numbers of mining projects, which have been submitted for
clearance, cover a huge area of *9,404 ha*. This is only a year's data (June
2007 – August 2008). No data is available as to how much land was diverted
for mining between 2002-03 and 2006-07. Adding this 9,404 ha to the total
area already under mining in Goa (till 2002-03), it works out to be *10.5
per cent *of the state, highest in the country and much more than mineral
rich states like Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

The mining rich talukas of South Goa, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona have high
forest cover, with 26.3 per cent, 64.2 per cent and 53.3 per cent of forest
cover respectively. All the proposed 120 mining projects are in these forest
rich talukas and would involve diversion of forest area. Therefore, if these
projects are cleared, it will significantly alter the forest cover in these
talukas. Other than the forest, the proposed project also cover a lot of
agricultural land and has been identified as one of the major cause of
concern by the local community. According to a report, in Rivona panchayat
in Sanguem Taluka, out of total village land of 1929 ha, 1510 ha is under 23
mining leases granted during colonial Portuguese regime that ended in 1961
but were continued by the free India
state.[3]<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=mjs&ver=L0TusViboKI&am=X_E4pcb3fCGNsZP73g#_ftn3>

On an average, mining operations generate large amount of waste –
overburden, and soil. Around 2.5 to 3 tonnes of mining waste has to be
excavated to produce one tonne of iron ore. If all the iron ore projects
submitted for clearance since June 2007 are cleared, then on an average 55
million tones of waste will be generated every year (assuming an average
generation of 2.75 tonnes of waste to extract 1 tonnes of iron ore). This is
a huge quantity and would also require large amount of land for its
disposal. In the state, which is already witnessing number of protests on
account of mining waste destroying the agricultural field, these new
projects could become bone of contention. Especially taking into account the
hilly terrain of the proposed mines and high rainfall.

Another major cause of public protests in Goa against mining projects has
been the destruction of water resources. Rivers such as Zuari and Kushawati
in South Goa are getting polluted on account of sediments flowing from
mining projects. Most of the existing iron ore mines have already breached
groundwater table. About 10 tonnes of water is pumped out for every tonne of
iron ore
mined.[4]<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=mjs&ver=L0TusViboKI&am=X_E4pcb3fCGNsZP73g#_ftn4>This
is also leading to depletion of groundwater in the surrounding areas.
Surface water from the rivers also seeps and flows into the mining pits,
leading to drying of rivers downstream. Proposed 120 projects in such a
scenario is only going to add to the water stress.

Interestingly, apart from one or two big projects, rest all proposed
projects are small mines with annual production in the range of 0.1 to 0.3
million tones of iron ore per annum. Though the EIAs of most of the mines
are available but it will not take much time to find out that they are just
copy-paste job with changes only in the names of project (refer: Annexure
2). Moreover, the EIA reports which came for analysis to Centre for Science
and Environment does not have clear mine closure plan (refer: Annexure 2).
If proper action is not taken by the Ministry of Environment and Forest,
than surely these small projects will eat up the existing forest, destroy
water resources and would leave behind nothing but carters filled with
water.

*
*

*Annexure 1: List of mining project (South Goa) discussed by Additional
Expert Committee of Mining Project (June 2007- August 2008)*

*S.No.*

*Name of the project *

*Location*

*Area (Ha)*

*Annual production*

*Status*

Polo Dongor Iron Ore Mine of Shri Imran Khan

village Curpem

58.27

Iron ore: 0.2 mtpa;

Manganese ore: 14000 tpa

Recommended clearance (date: June 13, 2007)

Mandiencho Soddo Iron Ore Mine of M/s. Nalini Vinayak Naik

Sangod Village, Taluka Sanguem

90.20

Iron ore: 0.1 mtpa

Recommended clearance (date: June 13, 2007)

Borga Iron Ore Mines-I & II of M/s Panduronga Timblo Industries

Rivona village, Sanguem Taluka

160.698

Iron ore: 0.3 mtpa

Recommended clearance (date: June 13, 2007)

Sen Denominacao Especial Paiem Iron Ore Mine Project of M/s Manuel Dacosta
ore mine

Data not available

Recommended clearance (date: June 13, 2007)

Expansion of Godbaem Ou Guttiem Iron Ore Mine by M/s. Chandrakanta fonu Naik

Data not available

Recommended clearance (date: June 13, 2007)

Expansion of Macodia tolem Mamatembo Iron ore mine

Village Netorlim, Sanguem Taluka

72.72

Iron ore: 0.373 mtpa