NGO Goa Foundation Saturday said that iron ore mining in the state can be restarted by forming a government-run mineral corporation.
The NGO's petition had led to the Supreme Court quashing 88 mining leases and banning the extraction of fresh iron ore in Goa in an order in February this year.
GF director Claude Alvares Saturday said, "The state government should set up Goa Mineral Development Corporation under section 17A (2) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and resume mining activities."
He said this option would allow the state government to resume mining activities without resorting to fresh auctions.
He said that it would take several years for mining to resume if the auction route is taken by the state government.
Alvares said that it would be difficult to resume mining in Goa by November as promised by some politicians.
He added that the government should start the process of e-auction of 10 million tonnes of ore lying with the state as it would bring some business to those dependent on mining.
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