mining in goa

8/21/2019 Mining in GOA

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GOA:SweetLandofM

ine

GOA:SweetLandofM

ine

The

Goa

Foundation

Published by the Goa Foundation


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Contents

9 Part I: A thing of beauty

Goas natural heritage

Goas biodiversity, its ecological endowments and

to an equal extent, its sociable people, all are

being severely assaulted by ecologically destructive

mining. This section introduces the astonishing

beauties of the region being mined.

25 Mining in Goa An historical perspective

26 Part II: Mine, mine, mine

Goas new mantra of greed

The mining industry has been considered Goas

sacred cow: Others call it the backbone of the

Goan economy. The primitive nature of the mining

operations will more easily break the ecologicalbackbone of the State. This section looks closely at

the principal actors on the mining front.

32 Part III: Wounds on the earth

the effects of mining

The effects of the large-scale mining operations are

ubiquitous and pervasive. This sections shows in

pictures the true horrors of mining operations in

Goa, their impacts on Goas ecosystems and people.

72 Part IV: The blame game

pinning the responsibility

Who are the individuals and departments

responsible for the state of affairs? Can you help

make them listen?

92 Stand up and be counted

Some guidance on a future course of action. Please

try it for Goas sake.


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Karnataka

Maharashtra

Mhadei

Bondla

Bhagwan

Mahaveer

Netravali

Cotigao

GOA

This map composites the Portuguese mining map withsatellite images of Goas wildlife sanctuaries / national park,and graphic map data to depict the boundaries and corridorsof the protected areas. The composite map shows thelocation of mines approved by the Ministry of Environmentand Forests within 3 km and 1 km, respectively, of thesesanctuaries. The MoEF has even cleared three mines whichencroach inside one of the sanctuaries.

Sanctuary boundary

1 km buffer

3 km buffer

This old Portuguese mining map of Goa gives the locationof more than 700 mining leases granted by the PortugueseGovernment. If all of them are to be entertained, nothing willbe left of the State (and its charms).


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List of mining leases whose brutal management practices were legitimised by the Ministry of Environment and Forests when it casually issued more than 70 environmentclearances in two years without visits to sites.(The table lists villages in which the operating mines are located, dates of public hearings and environment clearances granted.)

Name ofmining

lease

T .C . N o N ameofop erator V illagean d

Taluka

S ur ve y nu mb er (s ) A re a ( in

hectares)

Project

cost(inRupees)

Date of

publichearing

Env. Cl.

date

SancordemMalpona Mine

19/52,44/56,27/53,39/56

M/s V.M. Salgaocar&Bros LtdP.O. BoxNo. 14Vasco daGama, Goa

Sancordem,Malpona

Malpona Partof5, 11, 12,15 to 17, 19, 20 to 22, 24& 25, Surla Partof 39, 40,42 & 43

3 18 .9 4 1 17 9. 89lakh

Jan5,2004

Nov 17,2005

Copila GaichemPaulmineofSociedadeTimbloIrmaos Ltd

88/52 SociedadeFomentoIndsP.O. BoxNo. 31,Villa Flores daSilva,EC street, Margao,Goa

Sigao 30 to 34 94 500 lakh Jan 5,2004

Sep3,2007

SantonachiUprimineof Zarapkar& Parkar

34/55 M/s SalgaocarMiningIndustriesSalghaocarChambers,Margao, Goa

D ab al p ar t o f 3, 4, 17 , 1 8, 19 , 1 61 ,258, 169 full5 to 12, 17

9 8.3 3 00 l ak h J an 5,2004

Oct28,2005

KalayironoremineofN.S.Narvekar

12/52 SociedadeFomentoInds(addressasgivenearlier)

S an ton a 7 , 8 , 1 2 t o 16 , 2 4, 25 1 76. 76 4 .1 cro re J an 8,2004

May14,2007

Saniem ironoremineofM.S.Talaulikar

2/ 51 So ci e dad e F ome ntoInds(addressasgivenearlier)

Sancordem,Malpona

40, 50, 52-56, 59 50.3 3.5 lakh Jan 8,2004

Nov 25,2005

TudouironoremineofChowguleCo Pvt

40/57,42/57

ChowguleCo PvtChowguleHouse,Mormugao Harbour,Mormugao, Goa

Tudou 171.86 36 lakh Jan 8,2004

Mar22,2006

BimbolironoremineofEmcoGoa

23/53,7/41

ChowguleCo Pvt(addressasgivenearlier)

Sigao, MollemCollem

4 6. 10 6 4 7 l ak h J an 1 2,2004

Feb16,2006

MonteIranguiironoremineofRoyAntao &SaneAntao

55/53 Chowg ul e Co P vt(addressasgivenearlier)

P ot re m 3 1. 34 4 .5 l ak h J an 1 2 ,2004

Jan12,2006

CodliGroupofmines

69/51,70/52,126/53

Sesa Goa LtdSesa Ghor,P.O. BoxNo. 125,EDC, Patto, Panaji,Goa

Codli 298.58 75 crore Jan 12,2004

Sep6,2005

HuldolDongor(Bimbolmine)

8 /4 1 G .N . A gr aw alStationRoad,P.O. BoxNo. 107,Margao, Goa

Sigao 30, 31, 32, 62, 72 97.5 2.38 crore Mar 8,2004

Oct26,2005

Kirlapaleironoremineof AhiliabaiSardesai

41/54 M/s V.S. Dempo &Co,Campal, Panaji, Goa

Carmonem &Bandoli

35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 ofCarmonem & 49to 54 ofBandoli

8 5. 5 2 .8 6 c ro re M ar 3 ,2004

Nov 17,2005

Dudhalironoremine

7/ 50 M/ s V.S. De mp o &Co (addressasgivenearlier)

Dudhal&Maulinguem

44, 48 to 51 ofDudhal &7, 8, 9 ofMaulinguem

3 2.7 2 7 2la kh M ar 3,2004

Nov 17,2005

Colomba ironoremine

35/52 M/s V.S. Dempo &Co (addressasgivenearlier)

R iv on a 1 09 , 11 5, 1 2 7, 1 2 8, 1 31 ,132, 134

9 8. 46 2 .1 5 c ro re M ar 3 ,2004

Nov 17,2005

Curpem ironoremine

3/ 51 M/ s V.S. De mp o &Co (addressasgivenearlier)

Curpem &Sulcorna

2, 20, 52,55, 56, 57 ofCurpem & 11 ofSulcorna

82.5 80 lakh Mar 3,2004

Nov 17,2005

Vichundrem ironoremineofHiraBombo Gauns

38/52 M/s V.S. Dempo &Co (addressasgivenearlier)

Vi ch un dr em 1 , 1 2 t o 1 6, 5 1, 5 2, 5 3 1 00 7 5 la kh M ar 3 ,2004

Nov 17,2005

SemDenominacaoEspecialironoremine

5 /5 3 M an ue l Da C o s taH. No. 1560,Curtorim, Goa

Tudou, Patiem 1, 12 to 16, 51, 52, 53 parts23, 24 ofTudoupart of1/1, 2/0, 5/1, 5/2, 5/3,5/4, 6/0, 4/0, 8/0, 9/1,10/0, 11/0, 22/0, 26/0,27/0

9 5.0 9 2 0la kh M ar 8,2004 Sep30,2005

Nomoxitembo deCaurem mineofM/s BadruddinMavani

14/52 M/ s Soc i ed adeTimblo IrmaosLimitadaP.O. BoxNo. 34 ,KadarManzil,Margao, Goa

Colomba &Sulcorna

Partof 82, 83, 87, 88, 89,90, 91, 92, 95, 96, 100, 103,09, 10

7 1.4 1 6 c ror e M ar 8,2004

Sep30,2005

Oikrio DirodgalCurdimineofNoorM.A. Karim

43/53 M/ s Soc i ed adeTimblo IrmaosLimitada(addressasgivenearlier)

C ur di 4 4, 48 , P ar t o f 43 , 4 5, 46 ,47, 52,

3 4.2 2 1 c ror e M ar 8,2004

Sep30,2005

Godbaim ouCuttiem mineofC.F. Naik


Curpem,Sanguem

P ar t o f 6, 7 , 1 2, 1 3, 14 , 1, 2 6 9. 47 5 0 la kh M ar 8 ,2004

Sep30,2005

Odamola ironoremineof SOVA

45/54 M/s SalgaocarMiningIndustries(addressasgivenearlier)

S an go d 7 ( 1, 2 , 3 ), 9 ( 1, 2 , 3) 8 5. 72 5 c ro re J an 5 ,2004

Oct28,2005,grantedperm EConOct23, 2007

Tollem GroupofMines

19/54,3/57,33/57

Kunda R.S. GharseNearMunicipalityP.O. No. 204,Margao, Goa

Tudou, Patiem 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19 1, 23,25,26 and Partof 2, 22, 20,18, 20, 24 ofTudouand3, 4, 49 and Partof 1, 8 ofPatiem

2 61 .7 92 2 0 c ro re F eb 2 ,2005

Sep30,2005

Chiraband-e-vallmineofR.R.Painguinkar

8/ 50 M/ s So ci e dad eTimblo IrmaosLimitada(addressasgivenearlier)

Patiem,Uguem

Parts of5/1, 7, 8, 11, 12/1,12/2, 13/3, 1/1-6, 15/1,18/1, 18/2, 19 ofPatiemand parts of48/1, 48/5,49/2, 49/3, 52 ofUguem

81.9 1 crore Feb 2,2005

Sep30,2005

Bondra AdvonaCurpem ironoremine

61/53 PandurangTimbloSubhashTimbloBhavan,P.O. BoxNo. 242,Margao, Goa

Codli, 1/1, 140, 148,149, 24, 27,28, 30, 31

9 6. 28 1 .0 1 c ro re F eb 2 ,2005

Oct20,2005

Collem ironoremine

30/50 DrP rafu ll a R . He deDrMalbarai House,2nd Floor, RueIsmaelGracias, P.B. No.181,Panaji, Goa

Collem-Sanguem

36/1 and 37/1 82.52 23.77lakh

Feb2,2005

Oct28,2005

Carea Codilupriadam TemboE Sauripar(Maulinguem)ofR.T.Duelkar

20/51 ResourceInternational Maulinguem Partof1 to 5, 7,8, 19, full23, 27, 29, 30

87.21 Feb 2,2005

Sep17,2007

Name ofmining

lease

T .C . No N ame ofoperator V illage an d

Taluka


hectares)

Project

cost(inRupees)

Dateof

publichearing

Env. Cl.

date

MortegalMordimineof VincenteFernandes


U gu em P ar t s of 4 1 , 42 /1 t o 4 2/ 8,43, 44/1, to 44/11, 42/2 to5, 46/0

7 0.4 6 1 6 la kh F eb 2,2005

Dec 26,2005

Sancordem ironoremine

29/55 AtchutV.S. VelingkarVeling, PostMardol,Goa

Aglote,Sanguem

P arto f13 , 17 , 18 47 .72 75 .89lakh

Feb2,2005

Dec 26,2005

ShaktiBauxitemine

25/68 P ravi nKu marGo s al i a B e tu l ,Maqueri,Morplq, Velim,Fatorpa,Quepem

8 26 .1 5 5 5. 11lakh

Feb2,2005

June15,2006

Gotukwade-choTembironoremine

5 0/ 58 S mt Sh ak un ta la Re ge C ol le m P ar t of 27 t o 29 3 3.2 5 2 4. 4 l ak h F eb 2,2005

Aug25,2006

Surla Sonshiironoremine

5/54,20/54,21/54

M/s V.S. Dempo &Co (addressasgivenearlier)

Surla sonshi,Vonvoilem

253.393 19 .84crore

Dec 8,2003

Nov 17,2005

Bicholim ironoremine

11/41,12/41,13/41,14/41,15/41

M/s V.S. Dempo &Co (addressasgivenearlier)

Lamgao,Mayem,Bordem,Mulgao andSirigao

479 13.54crore

Dec 8,2003

Nov 17,2005

Band DonColironoremine

2/Fe/71

M/s DamodarMangaljiDamodarNiwas,M.G. Road,P.B. BoxNo. 32,Panaji, Goa

Pissurlem,Sattari

1 1 t o 1 3, 18 , 9 , 4 1 t o 4 4 1 8. 47 1 5 l ak h D ec 8,2003

Sep30,2005

DeulemPissurlem ironoremine

70/51 M/s R.S. ShetyeTrionara

Pissurlem,Sattari

3 9 to 43 , 1 1, 18 , 1 9 9 9. 47 3 .5 5 c ro re D ec 8,2003

Sep30,2005

Sirigao ironoremine

5/49,13/49


Sirigao,Mayem

7 5. 25 1 .1 5 c ro re D ec 8,2003

Dec 27,2005

Vaguriem ironoremine


Va gu ri em 3 , 1 2, 16 to 20 , 2 6 t o 3 0 6 2. 26 4 5 l ak h D ec 8,2003

Jan5,2006

Dignem ironoremine

92/52 M/ s Soc i ed adeTimblo IrmaosLimitada (addressasgivenearlier)

Cudnem,Bicholim

P ar ts of 15 0 t o 1 59 4 3.1 36 3 cr or e D ec 8,2003

Sep30,2005

CazreachemCulna IronoreMine(Cudnem)ofShri RaghuvirSinaiGharseatBicholim

51/52 M/s V.M. Salgaocar&Bros LtdP. O. BoxNo.14Vasco da Gama, Goa

Cu dne m 97 , 98 , 102, 106 , 107 and101, 108

7 9.5 3 7 3. 96lakh

Apr20,2005

Mar23,2006

Guelliem-e-Gavaliron oremine(Pissurlem)SattariNorth

55/51 SociedadeFomentoInds (addressasgivenearlier)

Pissurlem,Bicholim

32 to 36, 38, 41 87.55 4.0 crore Apr 20,2005

Jan17,2007

GavalSonshi ironoremineofM/sCosmeCosta &Sons (Pissurlem)SattariNorth

110/53 Sesa Goa Ltd(addressasgivenearlier)

Pissurlem,Bicholim

41/1 62 12.5 crore A pr 25,2005

Sep4,2006

Paleironore

mineMati(Cudnem)MineBicholim

31/53,

41/56

ChowguleCo Pvt

(addressasgivenearlier)

Pale, Velguem

and Poncem,Bicholim

Pale24, 27 to 31, Velguem

37and 77 Poncem 7, 11,12& Parts of 4 to 6, 8, 10,13, 14

1 52 .6 3 6 1. 94

lakh

Apr20,

2005

Nov 24,

2006

Velguem/SurlaironoremineMati(Cudnem)MineBicholim

83/52,29/54,19/58,

M/s V. M. Salgaocar& Bros Ltd(addressasgivenearlier)

Velguem,Surla, Sonus,Vonvoilem

Part32 to 38& 61 ofVelguem, Part160, 161,162, 166, 167, 171, 174,180, 181, 182, 199, 200,201, 210, 213,216, 217, 224, 228, 229,232, 233 & full163, 164,165, 183 to 190 & 202 to209, 211, 212, 218 to 223,225 to 227, 428 ofSurlaPart6, 10, 11, 13, 29, 31,32, 35, 37 full33, 34, 36ofSanguem

286.693 204.48lakh

Apr20,2005

Mar28,2006

Gavanem ironoremine (XelpoCurado)SattariNorth

26/57 ChowguleCo Pvt(addressasgivenearlier)

Xelpo, Curado 9, 12 to 25 100 34.44lakh

Apr20,2005

Aug17,2006

Onda ironoremine


Cudnem &Onda, Sattari

103 ofCudnem, 123-143ofOnda

7 4. 61 1 .0 6 la kh A pr 2 0,2005

Aug17,2006

Purmar-e-ParvodetofSallitho oresPvtLtd Mati(Cudnem)MineBicholim


Pale 63, 64 94.6 5.28 crore A pr 25,2005

May10,2007

Sonshiiron oremineSattariNorth

1 6/ 55 V. G. Qu en in S on us ,Vonvoilem

5 6. 79 1 .1 5 c ro re A pr 2 0 ,2005

May18,2006

Sanquelim Groupofmines

9/49,10/49,3/54

Sesa Goa Ltd(addressasgivenearlier)

Maulinguem 17, 18, parts of2, 4 to 13,19, 20, 23 to 28 and 30

2 03 .5 4 1 .7 9 c ro re Apr25,2005

Jul6,2007

Sigao ironoremineSanguem,Goa

47/54,50/53,13/55,

M/s V.M. Salgaocar& Bros Ltd (addressasgivenearlier)

S ig ao 2 1, 23 , 3 0, 31 an d 3 4 f ul l24 to 29

1 74 .4 1 7 7. 49lakh

May5,2005

Mar28,2006

VangiBindiAdvona (Fe/Mn)ironoremineat SulcornaSanguem, Goa

10/51 M/s HaidarKasimKhanGovtHospitalRoadKakodaCurchorem, Goa

VichundremSulcorna

17, 51 ofVichundrem16, 11 ofSulcorna

8 3. 06 2 .0 cr or e M ay 5 ,2005

Feb15,2006

Costiiron oremineSanguem,Goa ofChowgule& Co Ltd

22/50,38/51,12/57


C os ti 2 , 4, 8, 9 , 1 1 t o 1 4, 2, 4 , 2 4,49, 51, 1, 13, 14, 15

1 27 .9 2 5 8. 67lakh

Jun15,2005

Dec 1,2006

Costiiron oremine(Santona,Dudhal)Sanguem, Goa ofV.D.Chowgule

40/50,16/51

ChowguleHouse,Mormugao Harbour,Mormugao, Goa

Santona/Dudhal

39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48,49, 50 and 51 ofSantona54 to 63of Dudhal

1 67 .7 8 4 6. 43lakh

Jun15,2005

Nov 27,2006

Nameofmining

lease

T .C . N o N ameofop erator V illage an d

Taluka


hectares)

Project

cost(inRupees)

Date of

publichearing

Env. Cl.

date

Suctolim IronoremineSanguem,Goa

143/53 PandurangTimblo(addressasgivenearlier)

Sangod 1/2, 2/1, 3/1, 3/2, 8/1,8/2 Parts of1/1, 3/1,4/1, 4/2, 6/4, 7/1,9/1, 92/1

99.6 55.12lakh

May12,2005

May18,2006

Shigao (AdvonaToleamatiEGaliguro)ironoremine 87/53Sanguem Goa

87/53 P and u rang Ti mbl o(addressasgivenearlier)

SigaoSanguem

31/1, 33/1, 33/2, 34/1,35/1, 60/1, 60/2, 60/3,61/1, 62/1, 63/1,64/1, 65/1

5 0. 4 6 3. 5 l ak h M ay 1 2,2005

Jul13,2006

Corpedegalironoremine ofR.V.S.Velingkar

24/57 R.V.S. VelingkarVeling, Ponda, Goa

SanguemDharbandora,

137 to 140, Partof131, 133to 136, 141, 143, 146, 148

5 9. 65 5 1. 2 la kh M ay 1 2,2005

Feb, 2007

BorchiMordiironoremineofG.N.Agrawal

6/ 61 So ci e dad e Fo mentoInds(addressasgivenearlier)

Maina,Quepem

3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and Partof1,2, 5, 6

9 2. 24 3 2 .0 c ro re A ug 3 1,2005

Dec 22,2006

Gogoro OuGulcanDongormineof HiralalKhodidas

6/ 49 So ci e dad e Fo mentoInds(addressasgivenearlier)

Colomba,Sanguem

Parts of42 to 46, 54 to 59,67 to 70

7 0. 18 2 .5 c ro re A ug 3 1,2005

Mar12,2007

Navelem DongorManganesemineofAshok P.Kuchadkar

53/52 AshokP. Kudchadkar,OppRailwayStation,Curchorem, Goa

Curpem,Colomba,Sulcorna inSanguem

73 part(Colomba), 2 part(Curpem), 10 partand 11part, Sulcorna

3 1. 43 1 5 la kh S ep 14 ,2005

Aug17,2006

SuktoliironoremineofGasa Goa LtdChimatevalavorli


S an go d 1 , 38 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 91to 95

9 6. 85 3 .2 0 c ro re S ep 2 1,2005

Jun7,2007

Madiencho SodoironoremineofM/s NaliniV.Naik


Sangod,Sanguem

30 , 31 , 32 , 35 to 39 , 87 , 88 98 .2 3 .40 cro re Se p 21,2005

Jul23,2007

M/s Marzookand CadarPvt ltdatDharbandoravillageinSanguem Taluka

4/ 55 M/ s Sa l gao carMi ni ngIndustries(addressasgivenearlier)

D ha rb an do ra 1 21 to 1 32 , 1 35 , 1 36 6 5. 23 7 .6 0 c ro re J ul 2 1,2005

May10,2007

M/s Timblo Pvt.Ltd, Gaotone,Dusrifal, Codli

14/58 Se sa Goa L td(addressasgivenearlier)

Codli/Sanguem

2 4, 2 9, 3 0 , 35 , 36 , 3 0/ 30 4 0. 76 8 .7 5 c ro re M ay 1 2,2005

Jul5,2007

M/s RalphDeSouza,Vagler,Shismamordi,Sangod, Village,Sanguem

7/ 58 M/ s Sa l gao carMi ni ngIndustries(addressasgivenearlier)

Sangod/Sanguem

p ar tof 57 t o 63 9 6. 48 3 .9 0 c ro re M ay 12,2005

May10,2007

M/s GajananSPadiarVagxe-po MolcornemFe-MnDandoAmabeyaTemb

1/Fe.Mn/78

M/s GajananS PadiarHouseNo. 121,Paroda, Goa

Molcornem,Quepem

86 to 91, 104 to 111, 114,117

65.24 May 5,2005

Jun27,2007

Nirankal(EMGUDI MOLA)IronoreMineofSmtSudhaM.Goundalkar

95/53 M/ s V el i ng k arBrothers CommlComplex,NearHari Mandir,Margao, Goa

Nirankal/Ponda

114, 115, 151 to 156 andPartof 116, 147, 150, 157and 158

8 5. 55 3 5. 82lakh

Jun12,2005

Jun27,2007

Marsodo IronoreMineofM/s DamodarMangalji& CoLtd

95/52 M/ s Damo d arMangaljiDamodarNiwas,M.G. Road,P.B. BoxNo. 32,Panaji, Goa

Pissurlem/Sattari 6 to 22 and 43 to 45 98.37 70 lakh Apr 9,2007

Gavanem ironoremine(Dhangar-wado XelpenchoSodo)

31/55 M/s Chowgule& CoPvt(addressasgivenearlier)

Xelpo Curado,Ambelim &GavanemVillagesinSattariTaluka

Partof 93, 96, 97, 98 ofNetorlim and Partof 5,35, 36 ofVichundrem

98 13.92lakh

Jun12,2005

May17,2007

MonteUdo iron& manganeseoremineofM/sChowgule& CoLtd


Rivona/Sanguem

88, 92, 95, 109 to 113 and136

7 4. 00 5 3 1. 59lakh

Jul5,2006

Jun7,2007

KhuntieMollironand manganeseoremine


Sulcorna/Quepem andCurpem andVichundreminSanguem

11, 14 to 17 ofSulcorna,2 ofCurpem and51 ofVichundrem

9 9. 33 4 3. 46lakh

Jul5,2006

May17,2007

Cavrem ironandmanganeseoremine

14/51 M/ s Cho wgu l e & CoPvt(addressasgivenearlier)

Colomba/Sanguem

72, 73, 77 to 89, 92 to 96,101, 102 and 121

9 9. 82 1 9. 28lakh

Jul5,2006

Jul27,2007

Vansvola TemboouximevorildongorVichundrem ironoremine

67/52 AtchutV.S. VelingkarVeling, PostMardol,Goa

Netorlim/Sanguem

Partof 93, 96, 97, 98 ofNetorlim andPartof 5, 35, 36ofVichundrem

4 2. 97 1 3. 92lakh

Jul5,2006

Jun27,2007

Carpadegga(Codli)iron oremine

2 5/ 56 X ec M u st af a C ad ar C od li /Sanguem

30 to 34 40.29 31 lakh Dec 12,2006

Oct24,2007

TembeachemDongorironoremine

5 1/ 51 J ai ra m B . N eu gu i M ai na ,Canvorem,Rivona inQuepem andSanguem

7, 66 and 77ofMaina, 34,35, 36 ofCavoremand 168/1 and 168/3 ofRivona

9 9. 37 2 0 la kh D ec 12 ,2006

Sep18,2007

Polo DongorironoremineatCurpemSanguem SouthGoa

65/51 Ms G.F. FigueiredoLHofLateAmaliaR.G. Figueiredo,H. No. 2730,Murida, Fatorda,Margao, Goa

Curpem/Sanguem

P ar tof 1, 2, 5 an d 8 5 8. 27 3 0 la kh J an 31 ,2007

Jul18,2007

Borga ironoremineconsistingof BorgaDongrachem Fallmineand Oiteiro BorgadoBairo Queri

29/52,34/50

PandurangTimbloIndustries

Rivona/Sanguem

73, 74, 75, 150, 151, 152and Partof30, 31,72, 76, 77, 149, 153, 154,174, 189, 196

1 68 .6 98 6 0 l ak h J an 3 1 ,2007

Jul26,2007

Yearof

proposal

Project details Received

on

Status

2007 P roj e ctNo : J-11015/ 479/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: Madachem Batiron oremineDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:PaleBicholimCompany:M/s Madachem BatPvtLimited

Aug30,2007

Proposalis reconsidered inthe meetingheld onNovember12-14, 2007

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 305/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: Callanichomato deOilomeoiIronOre MiningProjectDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:Company:M/s Tithoferro Bicholim Bardez

Oct25, 2006 AdditionalinformationsoughtbytheMinistryis awaited.Proposalis likelyto beconsidered inthe forthcomingmeetingofthe ExpertCommittee(Mining) scheduled forDecember14-15, 2006. Thecommittees recommend theproject.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 302/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: Marsodo IronOreMiningProjectDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:Company:M/s DamodarMangaljiand Co

Oct25, 2006 Proposalwas considered inthemeetingoftheExpertCommittee(Mining)held onNovember16-17, 2006.Informationsought bythe expertcommitteereceived onJan12, 2007.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 274/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: Tolem deQuela KeliIron OreMineDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:Thivim, Pirna BardezCompany:M/s SalgaocarMiningIndustriesPvt. Ltd.

Sep18, 2006 AdditionalinformationsoughtbytheMinistryis awaited.Proposalis likelyto beconsidered inthe forthcomingmeetingofthe ExpertCommittee(Mining) scheduled forNovember16-17, 2006.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 269/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: CareacodilUpsiAlamturbo ESauipas (Maulingaeu)IronOre MiningProjectDistrict: SouthGoaVillage:Company:

Sep1, 2006 AdditionalinformationsoughtbytheMinistryis awaited.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 228/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: Cavrem DongorIron &ManganeseMineDistrict:SouthGoaVillage:Company:M/s V.D. Chowgule

Aug4, 2006 AdditionalinformationsoughtbytheMinistryreceivedonAug22, 2006. Proposalconsidered inthe meetingoftheExpert Committee(Mining) held onDecember 14-15,2006. Theproposalwas deferred forrecommendationonsubmissionofadditionalinformation.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 226/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: Pola DongorManganeseMineDistrict:SouthGoaVillage:Company:M/s ShriXec AbdulGofur

Aug4, 2006 AdditionalinformationsoughtbytheMinistryawaited.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 207/ 2006-IA. II(M)ProjectName: AiliVagruem IronandManganeseMineDistrict:SouthGoaVillage:Sacorda/ SanguemCompany:M/s ElrayMinerals

July19,2006

Additionalinformationsoughtby theMinistry awaited.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 363/ 2005-IA. II(M)ProjectName: VagxepAnabeya TemptoMolcornem Ironand ManganeseOreMiningProjectDistrict:SouthGoaVillage:Company:M/s Gajanana P. Adiar

July18,2006

Projectwas received incompleteforwant ofapprovalletter ofIBM. Additionalinformationsoughtby theMinistry receivedon-----. Proposalis likelyto beconsidered inthe forthcomingmeetingof theExpert Committee(Mining)scheduled forNovember16-17, 2006.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 71/ 2006-IA .II(M)ProjectName: CotiDonger, Pirla MineDistrict:SouthGoaVillage:

Company:M/s Virginia Maria Simoes

Apr10,2006

Additionalinformationsoughtby Ministryawaited.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 70/ 2006-IA .II(M)ProjectName: Orasso DongurIron OreMiningProjectDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:Advalpal/MoietemCompany:M/s Sesa Goa

Mar31,2006

Additionalinformationsoughtby Ministryreceivedalongwiththe project. Theproposalis yetto beconsideredbythe ExpertCommittee(Mining). Proposalis likelytobeconsidered inthe forthcomingmeetingof theExpertCommittee(Mining)scheduled forSeptember18-20, 2006.

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 60/ 2006-IA .II(M)ProjectName: Gautona DusrifallmineDistrict:SouthGoaVillage:Company:M/s Timblo PrivateLtd.

Mar27,2006

Additionalinformationsoughtby Ministryreceived onAug3, 2006. Proposalis likelyto beconsidered inthe forthcomingmeetingof theExpert Committee(Mining)scheduled forSeptember18-20, 2006

2006 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 63/ 2006-IA .II(M)ProjectName: Oilem Arvalem MineDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:ArvalemCompany:M/s H.L. Nathurmal

Mar24,2006

Additionalinformationsoughtby Ministryreceived onMay2, 2006. Proposalwas considered inthe meetingof the soughtby theExpert Committeereceived onAugust17, 2006.Submitted fororder onJanuary 9, 2007.

2006 P roj e ctNo : J-11015/ 40/ 2006-IA .II(M)ProjectName: MonteDeSingao MineDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:Company:M/s Rajaram Bandakar(Sirigao)Mines Pvt. Ltd.

Feb15, 2006 Proposalwas considered inthe ExpertCommittee(Mining) onJune15-16, 2006. Furthernecessary actionis beingtaken.

2006 P roj e ctNo : J-11015/ 28/ 2006-IA -II(M)ProjectName: Sanquelim IronOreMineDistrict:NorthGoaVillage:Company:M/s Sesa Goa

Jan31, 2006 Proposalwas considered inthe ExpertCommittee(Mining) onJune15-16, 2006. Undersubmissionfor orders onSep6, 2006.

2005 P roj e ctNo :No . J-11015/ 351/ 2005-IA. II(M)ProjectName: JaquelarOn Jacclevicho MalloIronOre Mine, MLArea: 99.45 haProd. Cap.:0.8 MTPADistrict:NorthGoaVillage:PaleBicholimCompany:M/s TandekarBros. (P) Ltd.

Sep29, 2005 Additionalinformationreceived onOctober 31, 2005. Theprojectconsidered bythe ExpertCommittee(Mining) meetingheld onJanuary10-12, 2006. Inf. SoughtbyEC(M) received onFeb10, 2006. Onthe observationoft hecompetentauthorityreporton environmentalissues raised duringthe publichearingsoughtf rom theState PollutionControlBoard onJuly25, 2006. InformationGoa State PollutionControlBoardreceived onAugust21, 2006.

Mining projects in the pipelinefor environment clearancesAs on January 3, 2008


5/96

GOASweet Land of Mine

"When we destroy something man-made and replaceable, we

are called vandals. When we destroy something irreplaceable

and made by God, we are called developers."

Joseph Wood Krutch

Indias Environment Ministry and legitimises decades of deadly

environment destruction


6/96

Goa: Sweet Land of Mine

Content:Claude Alvares with Reboni Saha

Inputs:Nitin Naik, Nirmal Kulkarni, Kalpesh M. Patel, Rahul Alvares,

Sandeep Azrencar, Rajendra P. Kerkar, Savio Fernandes, Suneel

Korajkar, Aaron Lobo, Carl DSilva, Amrut Singh, Jamshed Madon,

Luis Velho, Judith Almeida, Lambert Almeida, Heraclio Fernandes,

Carlos Gracias, Ramesh Bandekar, Abhijit Prabhudesai (all members

of the Goa Wildlife Group of the Goa Foundation), Ramesh Gauns,

Sushant Naik, Gerard D Sa, Roy Fernandes

Book design and layout: Aniruddha Sen Gupta

Publication date:January 2008

ISBN No: 81-85569-77-0

Website: www.goacom.org/goafoundation

Proceeds from the sale of this volume go to a special fund within the

practices of the mining industry in the state.

Printed by the Goa Foundation at New Vision Printing Service Pvt. Ltd.,

36, Design House, Pilerne Indl. Estate, P.O. Saligao, Bardez, Goa 403 511


7/96

!"# %"&' ()"(*) +,-.+/0')1 2/'3 4"+5 '3) (/,'.#) "6 '3) #)7/"0'3+' /%%)1/+')*8 ,"%)& '" '3)/# %/01 /& "6 /'& 7#+01 9)+,3)&: ;3/&

9""< '+) 2)*,"%) /'& #)+1)#& '" %+


8/96


9/96

Contents

9 Part I: A thing of beauty

Goas natural heritage

Goas biodiversity, its ecological endowments and

to an equal extent, its sociable people, all are

being severely assaulted by ecologically destructive

mining. This section introduces the astonishing

beauties of the region being mined.

25 Mining in Goa An historical perspective

26 Part II: Mine, mine, mine Goas new mantra of greedThe mining industry has been considered Goas

sacred cow: Others call it the backbone of the

Goan economy. The primitive nature of the mining

operations will more easily break the ecologicalbackbone of the State. This section looks closely at

the principal actors on the mining front.

32 Part III: Wounds on the earth

the effects of mining

The effects of the large-scale mining operations are

ubiquitous and pervasive. This sections shows in

pictures the true horrors of mining operations in

Goa, their impacts on Goas ecosystems and people.

72 Part IV: The blame game

pinning the responsibility

Who are the individuals and departments

responsible for the state of affairs? Can you help

make them listen?

92 Stand up and be counted

Some guidance on a future course of action. Please

try it for Goas sake.


10/96


11/96

Open-cast or strip mining is one of the mostdestructive forms of industrial activity in the world.In many areas of the planet, companies have replacedthe method with better practices like room and pillarextraction, which does not envisage destruction offorests or destruction of nature on the surface. Miningpractice in Goa has remained a primitive operation ofrobber barons for several years.

Today, more than 40 mining leases operate in forestedareas of the State. They require the destruction offorests on private properties or government-ownedforests. Most mining operations are within theecologically sensitive area of the Western Ghats.Talukas like Sanguem in which many mining leaseshave been approved are thickly forested.

Majority of the government forests allowed for forests to bring them within the protection of theIndian Forest Act, 1927. That protection, however, hasnot been a bar to their destruction at the hands of themining industry and government.

Worse, the environment clearances granted have

legitimised bad mining, allowing the mines tocontinue with a business as usual attitude.

These clearances were issued ostensibly on therecommendations of expert committees headed bychairpersons from the mining industry or miningsector of government.

None of the clearances was granted after a site visit toverify the truth of the application, or to at least checkout what was being approved.

As a result, mines that should have been halted wereallowed to continue; the assault on ground waterwas further legitimised; dust and noise pollutionincreased many-fold; and, the fact that one could getenvironment clearances at the drop of a hat provokedmany others to queue up.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests simplysquandered a golden opportunity to bring miningin Goa under the stringent provisions of theEnvironment Protection Act, 1986.

7


12/96

8

For this, the Goans roundly curse the Ministry ofEnvironment and its expert committees for abdicatingall responsibility and abandoning the people and

their environment to an abysmal fate. Unable tobring to a halt the destructive mining that has nowbeen legalised by the MoEF, the Goans are forced totake to the streets, wondering at the display of rankincompetence, carelessness and lack of concern fromthe expert committees.

In many areas, it is perhaps already too late to reversethe situation, as gross, irreparable damage has alreadybeen done to the ecosystems. But there are otherpristine areas where the nightmare is yet to startor is just beginning. Many applications still awaitenvironment clearance or lease renewals.

Hence this book, written undoubtedly in anger and

rage, also contains one last desperate plea to those inauthority.


13/96

9

P '3/07"6 9)+.'8Goas naturalheritage

9


14/96

10

Now increasinglybloodied bythe scourge ofindiscriminatemining


15/96

11

Right:Raising food without harming

created out of the beds of rivers year

after year.

Below:The amazing green carpet of

the Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary.

Above:One of Goas splendid

churches serving peaceable

communities that have built their

economies on sustainable use of

natural resources.

Goa is a land of rich, natural assets. Besides the beaches

which most people link it with, it also embraces rivers

All packed by nature into one of Indias smallest states

11


16/96

12

;3)&) +0,/)0' +01 (),.*/+#

%".0'+/0 6"#%&5 6".01

2/'3/0 '3) G3+1)/ >/*1Q

*/6) R+0,'.+#85 +#) .0/-.)

'" '3/& (+#' "6 '3) >)&')#0

43+'&:

12


17/96

13

Left:the Surla waterfalls water is

an intrinsic part of Goas natural glory.

The annual monsoon brings a thousand

waterfalls (dobdobos) into play.

13


18/96

14

The Western Ghats the most important

topographic feature andprincipal watershed ofpeninsular India areacknowledged as one ofjust 12 biodiversity hot

spots found on the planet.The Ghats run down Goaseastern margins the fullstretch north to south.

14


19/96

15

The awesome protection afforded by the natural vegetation of

the Ghats enables water to percolate underground and then

appear in the form of natural springs and streams. Over the

past several centuries, Goan communities have harvested these

and plantations, hardly conscious of ores lying below.

15


20/96

16

Bird diversity is so enchanting that

Goa is one of the major bird-watching

tourism sites in the world. Every year,

hundreds of tourists arrive here with

binoculars and bird data books to enjoy

a veritable feast of bird sightings.

16


21/96

17

ecology, to be guarded with better protection than given to vaults of gold. At the

beaches, Olive Ridley turtles excavate the pits they need to lay their eggs. The

region meets all the 12 criteria decided by the Ministry of Environment and Forests

for identifying it as ecologically sensitive. The proposal to declare 8,000 sq km of

this region as the Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area (SESA) is pending with the

Environment Ministry for over two years.

17


22/96

18

A new species of legless amphibian, commonly known as immandehavu,

has been discovered in the vicinity of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Theresearch was undertaken by a team consisting of Dr Gopalakrishna Bhat,

retired Professor of Zoology, Dinesh K.P., Zoological Survey of India,

Kozhikodu, Prashanth P. Agumbe, Rainforest Research Station, and Nirmal

Kulkarni from Goa. Dr Bhat and his team encountered three specimens of this

species in July 2006 on the bank of one of the tributaries of the river Mhadei.

A research paper about the discovery has been published in the November

The new species has been named Gegeneophis mhadeiensis after the river

Mhadei. The Mhadei river (also spelt as Mahadayi = great mother) originates

in the lush forested hills at Jamboti Ghat in the Khanapur taluka of Karnataka.

before joining the Arabian Sea.

Apodans/caecilians, which are fairly well represented in the forested

areas, are often mistaken for snakes by the lay observer. Legless, secretive,

nocturnal, burrowing, earthworm/snake-like amphibians, they are among the

key bio-indicators of a healthy environment. As amphibians live both in water

Dr Bhats team has earlier discovered three other new species of these

creatures in the region Gegeneophis nadkarnii from Bondla Wildlife

Sanctuary, Goa; Gegeneophis madhavaorum from Mookambika Wildlife

Sanctuary, Karnataka; and Gegeneophis goaensis from Sankli-Kheri, Goa.

Discoveries keep adding to ourknowledge of the actual number of

species in this area. Given alongsideis a recent example...

18


23/96

19

The extent of diversity appliesespecially to the plant world. Many

of the species are endemic to thisregion only, and several are used bylocal people in a variety of ways.

Macaranga peltata contains an

anti-fungal, hepatoprotective,

neuroprotective and anti-ulcer

compound called bergenin. Snap

open a twig, rub the inner pith with

the outer stem and make instant

glue! It is used by locals to seal cuts.

use of the myriad variety of plants

is commonplace. Goans know their

plants and their uses better than

botany professors. That is why they are

concerned that these plants which thrive

in Goas natural landscapes must notdisappear.


24/96

20

Far left:

spicata, known locally as wagahati

or wakeri. The plant is important for

used medicinally by local villagers.

Middle and near left: The luminous

locally called karavi. The species

large quantities of nectar, and beehives

Below:

blush unseen on a mining dump.

Commonly called ran bhendi, its

botanical name is Hibiscus tetraphilus.

Its tenacious growth in adversecircumstances is symbolic of how nature

is holding on in sp ite of mans ravages.

In the coastal stretches, mangroves

cram every bit of available space,

maintaining the environments that


25/96

21

From the Ghatsto the edge ofthe sea, some ofGoas rivers and

water bodies stillmanage to retaintheir pristinequality, servingplant, animal andhuman life.

21


26/96

22

On the strong basis provided by these natural gifts has

of life: dont worry, nature will always provide.

using traditional nets staked in the

Right:

Far right:Rock paintings of Goas

ancestors have now been declared a

protected site (but are located on an

existing mining lease).

22


27/96

23

Clockwise from left: Toddy tappers

and potters continue to eke out a living

using traditional technologies, while the

processing of rice is a major occupation

involving hundreds of women. The

future of agriculture, though, is bleak in

an economy dominted by mining.

Right: Clams and their harvesting

are a major source of income, butthe operation of the mines has led

to heavy siltation of the river beds,

drastically reducing clam populations

and threatening this source of livelihood

for locals.


28/96

24

sustainablyharvested forcenturies nowfatally threatenedby mining anunsustainableindustry,destined to last a

couple of decadesat best.

24


29/96

25

!"#"#$

An historicalperspective

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30/96

2626


31/96

27

Mine,

mine,mine!Goas latestmantra of greed

27


32/96

28

The bloody trail of mining begins at themine pits gouged out of the Goan earth,

and follows the ore-laden trucks andbarges to the ships at Mormugao port.


33/96

29

Fuelled by the need to feedthe ravenous appetites ofthe industrial economies ofChina, Japan and Europe.

29


34/96

30

Control of the mining busi-

ness is in the hands of a few

big Goan industrial familes,

including the Chowgules,Dempos, Salgaocars, Timblos,

Agarwals, Kunda Gharses,

etc. Most leases, however, are

owned by individuals who

contract the mining opera-

tions to the larger companies,

in violation of the Mines and

Minerals (Regulation and De-

velopment) Act.

(left)

(Above)


35/96

31

Iron ore production in Goa has always been 100% export-

from China, the quantity has reached 33 million tonnes! Goas

natural assets are being dismembered for relocation to China!

Iron ore export volumes

have risen dramatically

over the years.

31


36/96

3232


37/96

33

!"#$%& "$ ()* *+,()Is this really Goa? The effects ofmining on Goas ecosystems


38/96

34

Mining has

left scarson the skinof Goa thatmay neverheal.

Of all industrial activity in Goa, themost destructive is mining, whichhas done more ecosystem damage tourism and chemicals factories.


39/96

35

The greatestimpact, of course,is on forests andgreen areas.

Hectare uponhectare of naturalgrowth has, overtime, fallen preyto the hungrymachines thatscoop the ores.

35


40/96

36

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41/96

37

Indications are that it takes morethan 30 years for a region denudedby mining activities to rejuvenateitself. Mine owners are required bylaw to rehabilitate areas that havebeen affected by mining. To date,hardly any mine owners takethis requirement seriously.Why should they bother?

Vegetation coming up on abandoned

mine sites is natures way of healing

itself. Nature always works with species

closely adapted to the area. Current

mining rehabilitation proposals rely

solely on Australian acacia species!

37


42/96

38

The bulk of mining is takingplace in the interior areas,

well hidden from the eyesof the international touristswho rave about Goa, itsbeaches and its beauty.

38


43/96

39

!"#$%&"'( '* *'%$&+ ,%$,&*'% -"("(. ,/+"#"+0The estimated area of forests

affected due to mining inGoa is about 2,000 ha. Since

mining is a non-forest activity,

approval of the Central

government is required under

the Forest Conservation Act.

So far 31 cases covering 1,116

ha area have been approved,

which includes about 300 ha

broken up area of the forestland. The details of mining

leases in the forest areas are

as given below:

Number of active mines ......74

Number of leases ............ 355

Total area ............... 66.9 km2

Number of leases

in forest area .....................91

Number of active leases in

forest area ....................... ..26

(19.66 km2)

Sadly, theseare also the

regions thatare the mostpristine, theplaces wherenature is at

her best.Any person holding a mining lease

believes that his right to invade the land

and excavate the ore is superior to the

rights of all other species to survive.

39


44/96

40

The NetravaliWildlifeSanctuaryexhibits evennow the woundsresulting fromthe seriousassaults itsuffered from

mining.

!"#$"$ &' (')&*)+" &' ," '-".#&"/ 0*&1*) &1" $#)(&+#.23 4)!2 # ('5-!#*)& &' &1" 6")&.#! 75-'08

8

5")& 1#9" /"5#)/"/ ."(!#5#&*') #)/ ."1#,*!*&*') ': &1"$" #."#$ &' /#&"3

40


45/96

41

One of the highest ridges of the Western

Ghats within the Netravali Wildlife

Sanctuary has been stripped of all its

cover and is now left to strong eroding

winds. There are several other hills

mutilated like this. While all authoritiesturn a completely blind and apathetic

eye, the area continues to erode, with

41


46/96

42

The two wildlife sanctuaries

of Mhadei and Netravali were

-

-

-

-

ties in wildlife sanctuaries and

-

of Wild Life (as it was known

-

-

-

-

eas which include some of the

-

-

-

ernment to entertain claims

under the Wildlife Protection

-

-

Mining in wildlifesanctuaries: atale of collusion,devastation andarrogance


47/96

43

In 2002, the Ministry of

Environment and Forests, actingon a direction by the former

Indian Board of Wild Life,

directed all State governments to

demarcate a 10-km buffer zone

from the boundaries of all wildlife

sanctuaries which could be

considered ecologically sensitive.

When the Goa Foundation

pressed the Supreme Court for

enforcement of this direction, the

Environment Ministry withdrew

its circular and instead required

State governments to examine

the issue on a sanctuary by

sanctuary basis and demarcate

as ecologically sensitive.

The Supreme Court then passed

a fresh order requiring all the

State governments to demarcate

their ecologically sensitive buffer

zones and to submit their report

before the National Board of Wild

Life.

In Goa, the government set up

an Inter-Departmental Committeeto demarcate the buffer zone

around the six wildlife sanctuaries

and one national park.

on the basis of advice from the

1-km zone with severe restriction

on mining would be best to

recommend. In areas where

there were forests, this buffer

could extend to 3 km.

However, as the mining lobbies

control the Goa Government

and its minions, the committee

was forced to eventually water

down its recommendations

completely. It has now suggestedto the National Board of Wild

Life that no buffer zone need

be maintained from Mollem,

principal sanctuaries affected by

mining operations.

Zero buffer zones

Some scenes of the devastation that

has been wrought upon the Netravali

forest cover or cut in half, together

with mountains of waste. If the mining

industry has its way, this will be the fate

of Goas other wildlife sanctuaries as

well.


48/96

44

Mining activities, whether occurringwithin or near Protected Areas,

cause a range of environmental

consequences that can be severe

and irreversible. Mining operations

and the process of constructing

new mining infrastructure often

results in large-scale alteration of

the environment at landscape and

ecosystem levels.The clearing of vegetation

impacts of mining on biodiversity.

Extensive mining operations have

historically destroyed large areas

of vegetation (AXYS 2002). Loss of

vegetation cover occurs not only

in the mined area but also in areas

affected by associated activities

such as dumping of overburden,

deposition of tailings, development

of infrastructure for transport and

service corridors (railway lines,

roads, pipelines, conveyers) and

vehicle parks, storage depots and

warehouses).

The excavation of the substrate

materials and creation of the

mine voids also alter the soil

nutrient status of the substrate.These secondary factors have

the potential to have deleterious

effects on local biodiversity. At the

landscape level, environmental

impacts occur generally in the form

of alteration of land form features

and fragmentation of biological

habitats that may cause isolation

species (Brown and Dunne 1988,

Banerjee 2004). Fragmentation of

size quality may not be able to

meet a species requirements and

may also cause loss of connectivity

due to reduction in species mobility

between supportive habitats.

drainage pattern are also landscape

level impacts resulting from mining

activities (Treweek 1999, IIED and

WBCSD 2002, UNEP 1994).

Impacts on wilderness area

values are aggravated by noise and

visual intrusion arising from both

mining and secondary activities,

including transportation. Human

immigration in response to real or

perceived livelihood opportunities

that are created by mining

activities often result in increasedpressure on the natural resources

of the area, disturbance to wildlife

species, illegal hunting, habitat

fragmentation and the spread of

alien invasive species (IIED and

WBCSD 2002). Displacement of

human populations due to diversion

of land for mining can also trigger

unsustainable resource-usepressures in other areas allotted for

human rehabilitation.

Mining operations also cause air

pollution effects that are manifested

as dust generation and subsequent

increase in Suspended Particulate

Matter (SPM) in the environment,

particularly in case of opencast

mining. Mining processes can

also have serious implications for

the aquatic environment as the

clearing of vegetation, removal of

soil, extraction of large quantities

of water, disposal of waste through

water systems often lead to soil

erosion, increased sedimentation

load and alteration of watercourses.

Acid drainage from mines is known

to cause severe damage to the

habitats of aquatic species and/

or may bring about changes in the

habitats of aquatic species. (ERL

1993, Ghose and Majee 2001,

Rajvanshi 1998, Soni et al, 1992,

Treweek 1999).

The most serious environmental

revolve around access to mineral

reserves in areas recognised as

values and biodiversity richness or

In India, at least 90 wildlife

sanctuaries and national parks, and

many other ecologically sensitive

areas are threatened with mining

activities (Vagholikar and Moghe

2003). In Goa, mining for various

minerals including manganese and

iron ore threaten the Bhagwan

Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS),

Mollem National Park, Bondla WLS,

Netravali WLS, Mhadei WLS and

Cotigao WLS.

From an EIA case study,

Wildlife Institute of India

44

Studies reveal the

impact of mining on

protected areas


49/96

45

-

45


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46

Where everything was once shades of green, todaythere are gaping red holes. Where once paradise had

come to earth, today there are patches of hell. Can manrecreate, after such mayhem, natures original design?


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47

Where the minesborder the shore(like the Redi mineshere), the woundedland bleeds into theArabian Sea.

47


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48

Problems are also caused by themine rejects and wastes which aredumped indiscriminately, pollutingwater bodies, silting drains andcanals, and ruining fertile land.


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49

Though mining dumps must

be maintained utilising certain

procedures, like benching, plantation,

etc, in practice dumps have become

loose mountains of earth or of mud.

Due to annual heavy precipitation

over four months, the loose material

invades surrounding areas and gets

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50

That is why we keep repeating the

question: Is this Goa? Who created this

devastation? Who are the authorities

responsible for mitigating the effects of

such activities, if they are allowed for

any reason? Why did the MoEF abdicateits responsibility (and worse) and

legitimise such destruction by providing

environment clearances to these mines?

50


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51

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Left and above:The Kushawati River

supplies drinking and irrigation water

to several communities downstream.

Due to reckless mining activities, the

river bed is now covered with mining

silt, which turns the river turgid. Here,

farmers scoop up silt to show the

condition of the river bed.

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52

But the scooped-out, exposedcavities, with their mountains ofwaste, are not the only devastation

dealt upon the land...

Black manganese deposits in a denuded

section of the Netravali forests.

Unfortunately, the richest pickings of the

ore are often under the oldest forests.

52


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53

Among themost seriouslong-term

effects ofmining inGoa is itsheavy toll onwatersheds.


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54

Left:A recently cut hillside, with water pouring apparently from nowhere. This

displays how hills act as catchments for water, keeping the water tables high due to

capillary action. The undulating terrain of hills ensures catchment of water during

coast, with the slopes of the Ghats ensuring entrapment of moisture and creating

has for millennia replenished its own bountiful natural resources, but is now under

threat of ceasing to do so because of the accelerated rate at which a few mining

companies have started exploiting those resources for their own greed.

Tiny pools like this one are constantly

forming and disappearing in the hills

and forests of the Western Ghats,

symbols of the cycle of replenishment

that nature undergoes if left alone.

54


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55

A bloody fate awaits surface waterbodies rivers, canals, lakes, eventhe sea once mining is sanctioned.

Mining also destroys delicatelypoised groundwater aquifers.

55


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How does mining cause village wells to run dry? When min-

-

-

56


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57

-

inches of rain!

heard that mines were creat-

-

clearance letters which con-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Though pits accumulate water,

the impounded water is sterile,

biologically dead and hardly of use

to village communities because of its

sediment load.


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58

The net effect of minings assaulton the water table mine pits are

pumped out, while adjacent areassuffer shortages in water supply.

It is paradoxical and ironic that while

development is to improve the standard

of living of unprivileged villagers in Goa,

mining development (see de-watering

pix at extreme left) has resulted in

empty tanks and wells, forcing people to

line up with utensils before public water

taps. Some villages are now provided

with water in tankers, but what happensto them when mining ceases a few

years from now?

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59

The dust raised by mining activities,and more so by the trucks that roarby laden with ore, create a choking

coat on plant life, as they do on thelungs of people.

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59


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60

-

-

Monocultures of Australian acacia can

be found gallantly occupying mining

dump slopes and abandoned mining

pits. Mining owners are promoting the

use of their open cast abandoned pits as

potential water reservoirs so as to avoidthe necessity of restoring the land with

indigenous species of plants.


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61

In Rivona, abeautiful area ofsouth Goa, manyof these problemscome together.

Blasted and now abandoned hillsides,

endless rows of trucks overloaded with

ore and recklessly driven, trees covered

drying up due to the struggle to retain

water in these areas (after mining goes

below the water table) and State and

Central governments in cahoots with the

mining barons.

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62

The unchecked interference with the ecosystem also results in a moreimmediate and devastating effect. Silting of rivers, clogging of drains

several regions. These incidents and the resultant loss of life, livestockand property can be directly linked to mining activities.

Rivers and streams run red with

mining silt. Eventually, the bed gets

have never faced them before.


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63

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The extent of damage at Bicholimis horrifying, with entire hills slicedaway, exposing the insides of theearth. To pacify the local villagersare sops like the bus stop below.

63


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64

In general,people carry

a low valuein the miningequation.They are anexpendable

resource.

This is evident in the unsafeconditions in which mine workersfunction (see coverage of the Tollemmine disaster above), the dangerto local residents from the rushingtrucks (an account of one horribleaccident is recounted by an eye-witness in the write-up on the facingpage) and the hazardous healthconditions created for people livingnear the mines or along truck routes.


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65

MINING KILLS19-11-07

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mining in goa

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