**"Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part I - 17. Mining in Goa :-

Opinion
    08/10/2018
              1451

Sub : **"Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part I - 17. Mining in Goa :-

Ref :- 17. Mining in Goa :-

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has requested WGEEP to provide inputs to review the current moratorium on fresh clearances for mining in Goa.

The Panel’s observations and analysis are based on : -

* Papers commissioned for the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) (R Kerkar, 2010; N Alvares, 2010; G Kalampavara, 2010)

* A multistakeholder workshop organized by the Panel in September 2010. http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/mom-6-western-ghats.pdf

* Materials prepared for the Panel by Goa Foundation and the Goa Team http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Annexure3-6th.pdf

* Our field visits to Goa’s mining areas in September 2010 and January 2011 and interactions with mine owners and managers, villagers, NGOs

* A number of studies on mining in Goa (TERI, 1997; Goa Foundation, 2002; TERI, 2006; CSE, 2008; NCAER 2010; GMOEA reports; Basu, 2011; Mukhopadhyay and Kadekodi, 2011, TERI, DISHA study ongoing)

Based on observations and analysis, the Panel recommends an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zones 1 and 2 in Goa and a phasing out of mining to 2016 in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1 as defined by the Western Ghats Panel. The Panel also makes a number of recommendations to reduce the environmental and social impacts of mining in Goa and in other regions which are included in Part II of the WGEEP Report. The moratorium for ESZ2 can be revisited as and when the situation improves.

17.1 Status and Trends :-

The mining and quarrying industry in Goa is the second most important industry next to the tourism industry. The wholly exported iron ore industry contributes to exports, employment and foreign exchange earnings of India. For the year 2009–2010, the contribution to government revenues of state and centre was Rs. 500 crores and Rs. 2000 crores respectively. (GMOEA and NCAER (2010). The share from this sector to state income is estimated to be around 4.7% (1999/00 prices); 10.1% at 2007/08 prices (indirect 17%) (Economic Survey of Goa 2009–2010) Contribution from mining and quarrying is mainly from iron ore mining.

Figure 8 shows the increase in production of iron ore in Goa for the period 1992–2009. There has been an increase from 12.1 million metric tonnes in 1992 to 41.1 million metric tonnes in 2009 with a 20 million metric tonnes increase in the last 5 years alone. GMOEA estimate that there has been considerable illegal mining of around 10 million metric tonnes. 100% of Goa’s ore is exported of which about 89% is exported to China and about 8% to Japan (GMOEA and NCAER, 2010).

17.2 Footprints of mining :-

Most of the mining in Goa is in the Western Ghats (Figure 9). The mining belt extends 65 km from southeast to northwest spanning some 700 sq. km. Goa is the only state in India, as a result of a historical regulatory legacy, where iron ore mines are concentrated in lease areas of less than 100 hectares. There are a number of leases that have been dormant but are being reactivated given the rising demand for iron ore from China. Following are the key sustainability footprints that are a result of mining activities in Goa; these have also been recognized in the draft Regional Plan of Goa 2021 (RPG-21)*

*The subsequent paragraphs draw from earlier studies but also RPG-2021; Kerkar, 2010; presentation made by Goa team to the WGEEP on 27 September 2010.

Most mining leases are located in and around Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) and forest areas. For example, 31 leases are within 2 km of WLS, of which 7 are working mines; 13 leases are within 1 km of WLS. Evidence of some mines operating illegally within WLS also exists. 2500 ha of forest area were lost to mining in the period between 1988–1997. (TERI, 1997) No studies to assess the loss in forest area in the Western Ghats have been done since then. Forests are practically non existent in some parts of the Bicholim taluka where mining has been in operation since the late 1940s. In parts of Sattari and Sanguem talukas, forests are affected in mining villages. Biodiversity loss associated with the land use and cover change resulting from mining operation in the region is very serious .

Surface water

The loading jetties of the barges are right on the river bank and these result in surface water pollution during loading and unloading operations. Sedimentation of river beds and estuaries (Figure 10) (particularly the Mandovi-Zuari estuarine complex) and the resultant flooding of the rivers like Bicholim and Sanquelim have been attributed to this activity. Dumps are located close to water bodies which contributes to the silt runoff into the water especially during Goa’s heavy monsoons (Figure 11).

Opencast mining has induced significant changes in water quality and quantity besides causing topographical, morphological, and land use changes. The following two problems in the mining areas have been identified:

* Suspended particulate matter in the mine and tailings discharge water used for paddy cultivation can be major threats to sustainability of fertility of these agricultural lands.

* Direct surface runoff from the adjoining mine dumps into the agricultural lands adds to the problem of siltation.

Groundwater

Mining activities involve the conjunctive production of groundwater as they require considerable pumping out of water. Many studies have highlighted the negative impact of Goa’s mining activities on local hydrology (MS Swaminathan 1982; TERI 1997; G.T. Marathe, IIT; B.S. Chowdhri and A.G. Chachadi; NEERI Report; Regional Plan of Goa, 2021.) As water tables drop due to the drainage of water into mining pits in zones of unconfined aquifers, local wells go dry and affect availability of water for domestic needs and agriculture and this impacts local lives. Water shortages as a result of mining activities have been well documented (TERI, 1997; TERI, 2002). Evidence from studies (TERI, 2006) also reveals that the impact of changes in groundwater is disproportionately borne by women who are more vulnerable to insecurity, poverty, and ill health.
Waste Dumps

Enormous amount of mining waste is piled up in steep and high dumps. Some of this overburden waste is being mined currently as it contains material of an iron content that has a market in China. Another important concern is how the mines will be backfilled once the ore is exhausted, if we export most of this excavated material out of the country.

To be continued ..

JAIHIND

VANDEMATHARAM