State Mines and Geology Department issued the order today suspending licences granted under Goa Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 1985, in the talukas of Quepem, Sanguem, Sattari, Dharbandora and Bicholim, where the soil is iron ore-rich.
The department has asked all the licence holders to immediately stop the activity.
"It has been brought to my notice that in the name of extraction of mud, the quarry lease holders are involved in the activity of extraction of major mineral ore which is a property of Goa government," Director of Mines Prasanna Acharya said in the order.
The newly-elected Manohar Parrikar government has cracked the whip against the illegal mining after coming to the power. PTI RPS KRK
