Goa mining leases to be checked for illegalities by DGPS

Panaji: The Goa Mines and Geology Department has completed the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) survey of all the working mines in the state, which will help authorities to zero-in on the illegalities outside the mining leases. The analysis has been done as per the directives of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), which had asked to conduct the accurate survey of the mining leases, state mines director Prasanna Acharya told PTI today. The survey of almost all the 82 working mines has been completed by a private agency which was assigned the task, Acharya said. The findings of the survey would be matched with the satellite images procured from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which has already submitted Goa-related data to the state government, he said. [caption id=“attachment_931659” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representative images. Agencies.[/caption] The maps from the local survey department will also be considered to identify exact violation by the mine owners, he said. Justice M B Shah commission, which probed illegal mining in Goa, had estimated that iron ore worth Rs 35,000 crore was tapped and exported from the areas outside the mining leases by the mine owners. The commission, while recommending the recovery of this money, had also suggested a DGPS survey. Acharya said the final data about the mining leases would be prepared soon, after conducting sample survey in the form of physical verification of the mines by the officials. The GPS survey conducted of the wildlife sanctuaries would also be considered while investigating the violations, he said. “The work has come to halt for time being due to rains. We will resume it only after skies are clear,” Acharya added. PTI