Residents from Shivsorem and Colomba in Rivona are gearing up to oppose an iron ore mining lease, with a public hearing slated for June 18 from 11 am at Rivona V K S S Society, Rivona. Residents have alleged that the mine owner started operating from the mine since September 2007 without obtaining any permission from mining department or Ministry of Environment and Forest. However, Mines department in May stopped the operations. "The owner has dumped the mining rejects on the banks of Corca River, a tributary of Kushawati River. Even the boulders, which were dumped, have landed in the river, thereby disturbing its water flow,' said a local. The condition stipulates that at the time of issuing permission, the mining rejects have to be dumped at a distance of 100 mtrs from the river. "The mine owner has violated the condition,' claimed a villager. Residents have complained that if the mine starts then it would destroy Corca and Kushawati River. "What is the need in having public hearing from the Goa Pollution Control Board at this stage, when the mine owner has already caused extensive damage to the environment?' the locals questioned. Locals claim that the hearing slated for June 18 by the Goa Pollution Control Board be cancelled and the lease granted to the mine owner needs to be terminated. Residents claim that the major portion of the land, which the owner claims to be having lease, is a forestland. If the mine is permitted, it would endanger the lives of over 800 adivasis residing at a distance of 50 mts from the mine, they feared. Meanwhile, Rama Velip appealed to people to attend the meet in large numbers, to oppose the mining lease and to save the area.