Residents of Nuem in Khola village have foiled the move of a mining magnate to restart an abandoned mine in the area, forcing the authorities to apply official seal against lifting of any materials, recently. Even as the opposition was brewing to emerge as a major fall out, timely intervention of Canacona Mamlatdar Vinayak Volvoikar helped in curbing the mining activities trying to raise its ugly head. According to reports, unscrupulous efforts were allegedly on, conspicuously during last several days to construct a new road through the hilly terrains and fields to transport the materials from the area, by destroying people's fields and laterite-stone fences. "When residents noticed unusual road construction activities going on in full swing in different directions, leaving the existing village road undisturbed, we realized that something is cooking up to hood-wink us,' said one local. "The modus operandi was to avoid residential areas in transporting minerals, which could invite objections from the locals, and hence a different route was planned,' he added. "Later, locals nearby realized that some objectionable activities were underway at an old abandoned mine at Nuem (a place between Khanaguinim and Cabo-de-Rama villages),' added another local. Residents informed that during its operations about 20 years back, mineral ore was directly transported through sea loading on belts, which were hardly a few hundred metres away from the mine. Locals immediately objected to the activities, and put road blockades along newly constructed road to the mines. Locals also alerted the authorities, who along with Mr Volvoikar visited the site and ordered for immediate sealing of the area banning further activities. Directorate of Mines and Ecology immediately put a sealing notice, stating that an ex-mining lease situated at Nuem-Khola is longer in operation and all the powers regarding the mine vests with the government. The notice also warned any mining of minerals, or lifting of mineral from the ex-mining lease is prohibited without the sanction from the government, and violators will be prosecuted. Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar, who is at loggerheads with some locals for opposing his mega food park project at Quitla (nearby to Khanaguinim village), has surprisingly sided with the people in opposing the illegal mining activities, apparently realizing that the delimitation process has clubbed Khola village with his Quepem constituency. Incidentally, even though the Nuem mine is atop the hillock, is however, precariously located near the Arabian Sea, which according to some sources is a dangerous sign, as seawater can sip in the excavated mining area or the whole of mine can give away into the sea. It may be recalled that residents from Khanaguinim and surrounding areas are in the forefront to oppose the proposed food park at Quitla. While residents from Khanaguinim has successfully opposed a bauxite mine recently, and over the years had scuttled government's move to turn the then barren land of the village into a mega golf course.