Goa's mine sector on a go-green mission

Goa's private-run iron ore mining sector, which has been facing the flak for decades on environmental negligence, is on an image building exercise by undertaking social welfare works in mining-affected areas.

Mine owners here have set up a 'Mineral Foundation' as a co-operative venture. This non-profit venture is funded by contributions from the mining industry. Its goal is to address "environmental and social issues" in Goa's eastern-interior mining belt, and "contribute" to the development of local communities.

Nearly one-third to a little less than half of iron ore exports from the country come from Goa. The open-cast activities in the state, which started during the Portuguese colonial rule in the early 20th century, has been criticised by environmentalists and villagers for adversely affecting the local ecology, ground-water resources, and causing a range of other problems including flash floods.

The foundation has been active in donating 1000 textbook sets and 500 compass boxes to students in the mining belt, given a scholarship (tuition and hostel fees) each in seven disciplines, conducted medical examinations on 7,400 students over two years, and partially supported two 'blue-babies' in getting heart operations.

Some other children were also operated on to cope with their severe health condition.

Mining Foundation's mobile medicare unit with a doctor and supporting staff of HelpAge India will visit the villages of Piligao and Sirigao twice a week.

It also said in a report that it was supporting the National TB Eradication Programme with nutritional supplements that patients need to "overcome the disease".

Under its 'Project Drushti', the Mineral Foundation is associating with the Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Charitable Trust in Goa and an eye hospital in Coimbatore to plan free eye surgeries for the poor elderly from Goa's mining belt.

Some 150 patients were operated, with around 126 more short listed. Besides village health camps in two villages, and medical assistance, the Mineral Foundation has worked on smaller projects for a compound wall for a primary school, a library room at Mayem, bench-and-desks for a school, and financial support for a Society of Youth Development.

Other projects it has taken up includes clean drinking water at some government health centres, a children's park in the town of Bicholim located in the midst of north-eastern Goa's mining heartland, and community development programmes in Pissurlem and Carmone in north and south Goa, respectively.

On the environmental front, it beautified the famed Harvalem waterfalls "" which was getting badly silted due to mining rejects; repaired a road, and de-silted 'nallahs'.

Mining Foundation said that it was to set up a 'truck washing system' at Harvalem and Sancordem, as pilot projects.

Sanquelim's village panchayat had requested the foundation to tackle this issue, it said.

Other attempts include engaging NEERI for research work in improving the fertility of a paddy field at Lamgao, and using conventional approaches for a silt-affected paddy field in Vaghurem.

It is seeking help from Pune for using herbal extracts to trigger plant self-nourishment, and is also looking at how to improve environment management in the mines.

Its expenditure "" including Rs 66 lakh for environmental infrastructure "" touched Rs 1.11 crore so far, said the foundation.

Environmentalists have been harsh in critiquing the poor record of Goa's mining sector. Only a few firms such as Sesa Goa, particularly in the past when it was controlled by the Italians "" have shown some interest in corporate social responsibility projects.

Sesa's had undertaken afforestation projects on mining wastelands, and also supported earlier a football team and now a soccer academy for youngsters, both of which have earned it a favourable press here.

Eleven local mining firms are part of the Mining Foundation "" Sesa Goa, Damodar Mangalji, VS Dempo, Dempo Mining, Formento, Chowgule & Co, Emco Goa, V M Salgaocar & Bro, Ahiliabai Sardesai, Cosme Costa and the Timblos.

It's current governing board is chaired by Christopher M Brown, and apart from representatives of the local mining sector also includes the Indian Bureau of Mines controller general K S Raju, Goa's mines secretary Jayashree Raghuraman, and Goa University vice-chancellor P A Zacharias.