Goa:Sonshi mines may face GSPCB action over high air pollution

It may be the end of the road for 12 iron-ore mines in Sonshi village of North Goa, if they fail to furnish a bank guarantee here tomorrow before the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), which has deferred renewal of their leases for this mining season over rising air pollution.

Mining operations in Sonshi have been suspended since April 28 after these mine lease holders were found to be involved in violation of environmental norms.

Also, the GSPCB has kept on hold the renewal of leases of these mines under the Air and Water Pollution (control) Act, following protests by locals complaining about severe air pollution in the village.

The Board, in its last meeting, had asked the mining firms to furnish a bank guarantee which would be forfeited if they indulge in polluting the air during their operations.

The next meeting is scheduled tomorrow.

"If the mining firms fail to furnish the bank guarantee in the meeting scheduled tomorrow, they will not be allowed to operate (this season)," a senior GSPCB official told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)