The Goa government on Monday admitted to "illegal extraction of ore" in the state but maintained that there is no illegal mining.
"Mines operating in Goa are working legally but there are irregularities on those leases. The mining leases are legal but at times the extraction of ore is done illegally beyond permissible limits," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the legislative assembly in response to a query.
He said there were illegalities in handling (exporting) the mining rejects with low grade ore heaps piled along side the leases. "During last 4-5 years, almost 4-5 million metric tones of ore were exported after illegal extraction," Parrikar, a known crusader against illegal mining, said. Goa exported 43 MMT ore during last financial year.
He said the government will be constituting a committee of chartered accountants that will tally the quantum of ore exported and their source of income.
"Action will be taken wherever the source of ore could not be established...I cannot take action against them (the culprits) till I have proof," the chief minister said.
