PANAJI
In a bid to streamline and expedite the resumption of iron ore mining, the State government is set to roll out a comprehensive, time-bound standard operating procedure (SOP) for granting statutory clearances, aimed at fast-tracking the operationalisation of mineral blocks.
Of the 12 mineral blocks auctioned so far, seven have become operational since April 2024, while the remaining are facing delays due to pending approvals. “The government has decided to put in place an SOP-cum-schedule for each concerned department, including the Environment Department for environmental clearances and the State Pollution Control Board for consent approvals, so that there are no delays in operationalisation of blocks,” a senior official said.
Officials said that once the State Environment authority processes and recommends proposals swiftly, the grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) at the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) level can be expedited. District Collectors of the three talukas will be designated to ensure adherence to timelines under the SOP.
Apart from ECs and mandatory consents under the Air and Water Acts, certain mineral blocks also require forest clearances, mining plan approvals from the Indian Bureau of Mines, and other statutory permissions.
Delays in securing multiple approvals across departments have historically hindered mining activity. “The proposed SOP seeks to assign defined timelines to each department, ensuring a coordinated and time-bound clearance process,” the official added.
Mining activity resumed in phases, with the Bicholim mineral block being the first to restart extraction in April 2024. This was followed by operations at the Advalpal-Thivim block by Fomento Resources in December 2024. In May 2025, M/s Salgaocar Shipping Pvt Ltd commenced operations at the Shirgao-Mayem block, alongside the Shirgao mineral block operated by M/s Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd. The Cudnem Mineral Block (VI), operated by JSW Steel Limited, became operational in October 2025.
Earlier this year, operations also began at the Kale and Onda mineral blocks.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has received 53 bids for six mineral blocks scheduled for auction on April 16. Major players including Vedanta Ltd, JSW, and Fomento Resources have submitted bids for all six blocks.
The blocks up for auction include two in Cudnem (XII and XIV), two in Pissurlem (XV and XVI), the Adwalpale-Mollem Mineral Block (XVII), and the Cavorem-Maina Mineral Block (XVIII).
“These mineral blocks, comprising 10 mining leases, hold an estimated 168 million tonnes of mineral resources,” DMG Director Narayan Gad said, adding that the auction is expected to fetch an upfront payment of around Rs 230 crore for the State exchequer.
