PANJIM: In yet another major blow to mining firms hoping to start the mining season by November end, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has decided not to renew Air and Water consent of 107 mining leases, at least temporarily. GSPCB at its 104th meeting, held on Tuesday, has made permissions under Forest Conservation Act (FCA) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) mandatory for those mines, operational in the forest areas, including wildlife sanctuaries. Hence, it is now amply clear that mining operations would be delayed further, though industry was expecting to start it by November, after State government suspended mining operations. Talking to reporters soon after the meeting, GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha informed that the consent of all mines failing to get permission and other relevant documents would not be renewed. A total 107 mining lease owners have applied for renewal of Air and Water consent, which expired on July 31, 2012. Stating that no specific deadline for renewal of consent has been fixed by GSPCB, Noronha said during the meeting, “the Board grouped all 107 mining leases into three categories – first, mines which have all valid documents and do not fall within the purview of FCA and have permission from CWW whose consent would be renewed subject to proper inspection by team of GSPCB; second category comprises those mines which do not have permission under FCA and from CWW, whose consent would not be renewed and third category would include those mines, which have ongoing litigation in the High Court.” Noronha said that based on a petition filed by Goa Foundation, High Court had issued directions to the Board to verify the validity of Environment Clearances (ECs) issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to few mines. The mines were also accused of excess production. A total of 52 mining companies as identified by Goa Foundation would be heard for next three weeks. “The entire process would begin next week”, Noronha said adding ‘the board has already asked Directorate of Mines and Geology to check whether the mining firms were extracting iron ore in the absence of consent.’ Earlier this month, anti-mining activists had gheroad GSPCB chairman and had submitted a memorandum demanding rejection of all applications for renewal of air and water consents within 24 hours. The chairman had assured the group that he would not allow any irregularities during his term.