In a severe warning to iron ore transporters ahead of the mining season, scheduled to begin in a few weeks from now, the Goa government Tuesday said that any truck found overloading ore would cost hefty INR 500,000 to the mining outfit.

An order issued Tuesday by Director for Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya, responsible for keeping track of the mining industry in Goa, also said that river barge owners who are found transporting illegally mined ore would be acted against.

The directive said that "If overloading of carrier/vehicle is found, a fine of Rs.5 lakh per vehicle shall be imposed, which shall be recovered from the respective lease holder/trader.”

It adds that the government would terminate mining leases allotted to the lease holder if repeated transportation-related violations were reported.

Mr Acharya also said that the regulation was the key to maintaining a proper account for the computation of royalty and to ensure that the government gets proper financial due from the mining industry.

The directive also asks truckers to ensure that dust pollution caused during road transportation should be kept to the minimum by ensuring that trucks are covered with tarpaulins.

In a separate directive to operators of river barges, which ferry iron ore from loading jetties in the hinterland's mining areas to the ports for shipping, Acharya has warned them against carrying illegally mined ore.

Mr Acharya has warned that "The barge owner must be willing to share all relevant data concerning illegal mining acts if noticed and such other conditions stipulated during registration.”

The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party led coalition government has given mixed signals as far as the mining industry is concerned.

Source - IANS

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