Goa mining companies asked to purchase surface rights of affected areas

After a spate of mining related accidents in Panaji during monsoons, the Goa government appointed monitoring committee has asked all mine owners in the state to possibly acquire the land adjacent to their leases.

The guidelines adopted from Union Ministry of Mines Safety, and circulated to the mines say that the companies should purchase the surface rights of the area, which is likely to be affected with their activities.

"When mining is to be carried out near village dwellings or private property or any permanent surface structures, efforts shall be made first to acquire the surface right of area which are likely to be affected due to mining," mentions the guidelines circulated through the mines department.

The Goa government had constituted a monitoring committee led by North District Collector Mihir Vardhan following may mining accidents due to monsoons.

The authorities had asked all the 90-odd mines here to put in place their safety measures. Ministry of Mines Safety was contacted to get the revised safety guidelines, which were circulated to mines last week.

Vardhan said the panel will visit all mines from November onwards to ensure that there is no violation of safety norms.

The guidelines say that if mining firms cannot purchase surface rights then effective protective measures shall be designed and implemented so asto prevent any damage to such structure and properties due to mining activity or running water.

While incessant rains have been the major reason for mining mishaps, the guidelines have asked the mines management to assess rain water likely to be collected in the mine area taking the highest rainfall on any day for last ten years.

"Proper surface drains and intermittent bench drains shall be made and kept free from obstruction so that all the water is conducted to the pit bottom," the circular adds.

The mines management have been given several guidelines which they have to implement before next monsoons.

Almost half a dozen workers were injured and two were killed when a tailing wall of the mine had collapsed recently.

Goa has 90-odd mines which extracts around 54 million metric tones of ore annually.