89 renewed leases will come up for auction in 2027; immediate auction subject to SC increasing annual cap on ore extraction PANJIM: Iron ore mining leases in Goa will henceforth be auctioned. Mining leases will not be renewed any longer, as the State cabinet on Thursday resolved to withdraw the Goa Grant of Mining Lease Policy 2014. The 89 leases that were renewed after the policy came into force, will come up for auction on expiry of their lease period in 2027. The State government has warned it will cancel or withdraw leases granted, of all mines that fail to commence operation during the coming mining season beginning October. As per government information, 14 to 15 mining leases recommenced extraction activities during the ongoing season. Addressing the media, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the cabinet resolved to withdraw the Goa Grant of Mining Lease Policy, 2014 under which 89 mining leases have been renewed under section 8 (3) of the Mines and Minerals Development Regulation (MMDR) Act. “Henceforth grant of leases shall be by the auction mode as per Section 10 B of the MMDR (amendment) Act 2015,” he said adding that the immediate auction of mines will be subject to a Supreme Court decision on whether to increase the annual cap on fresh iron ore extraction. “The lease period of 89 renewed leases expires in 2027 post which they will be also auctioned,” Parsekar said stating that the renewals were done as per the Supreme Court judgment in April 21, 2014, wherein it has said that the State has to decide as a matter of policy in what manner mining leases are to be granted in future. The chief minister said the State lease renewal policy was based upon earlier provisions of the MMDR Act 1957 prior to the amendment in 2015 and as such this policy is not relevant any longer. Parsekar, who is also the State Mines Minister, said the government will submit a fresh affidavit before the Apex Court informing of this decision, in a petition filed by Goa Foundation challenging renewals of these leases. “The leases have been granted in accordance with its policy decision and in accordance with the MMDR Act and the rules made there under in consonance with the Constitutional Provisions,” he said. The chief minister also warned of stringent action in the form of cancelation of leases, if the mine owners fail to commence operations during the coming mining season. “I wanted a majority of them to commence operations in the ongoing season but due to several issues related to the market and taxation, it could not happen,” he said. “Now with slashing of export duty and also State taxes, I don’t find any reason for mine owners to delay the activities further,” he added.