Mining under way at 'non-working' mine.

Times of India; Rajendra P Kerkar; Friday, Apr 22, 2011,

KERI: Trucks transporting iron ore from an old mine near Gokulwadi, that allegedly has no permission to operate, have been seen plying through Sanquelim town over the last 4-5 days.

Information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act shows that the excavation under way at Gokulwadi-Gavathan, within the jurisdiction of the Sanquelim municipal council (SMC), is illegal.

In its reply to RTI applicant Raghu Sakaram Gaonkar of Savardem-Sattari, the directorate of mines and geology has said that mining lease No. 4/50 in Maulinguem village (near Gokulwadi) is "non-working". The information is part of a list of mining leases in North Goa district that are pending second renewal.

When contacted, chairperson of SMC Anand Gopi Naik said, "Two days ago some residents brought to my notice that iron ore transportation is going on near Gokulwadi area. I will look into the matter and direct authorities to take the required steps."

Gavathan councillor Brahmanand Desai alleged, "A few days ago a contractor approached me saying he would be lifting 2,000 tonnes of iron ore. But local residents have informed me that more than 10,000 tonnes of iron ore has been excavated and transported."

The area being excavated in Gokulwadi is less than 500m from Aravalem river, one of the main feeders of the River Mandovi.

Residents fear that the allegedly illegal mining activity will pollute the river by increasing siltation. Moreover, besides the excavation at Gokulwadi, another mining site is being excavated a few meters away, they say.

When contacted, senior technical assistant, directorate of mines and geology, Hector Fernandes, told TOI, "As soon as we received a telephonic complaint on April 21 about the illegal mining activity in Sanquelim, we deputed a team for inspection under geologist Deepak Mayekar. I have not received the team's report yet."