Vedanta-run mine in Goa ordered to stop work
By IANSMonday, May 17, 2010
PANAJI - Operations of an iron ore mine run by global mining giant Vedanta Resources in Goa has been suspended with immediate effect by the union environment and forests ministry Monday.
The order suspending the environment clearance granted to mining operations of the Sesa Goa Ltd mine at Pirna and Nadora, 25 km from here, was issued by the ministry following an appeal petition by the Pirna-Nadora Nagrik Kruti Samiti (PNNKS), a local NGO protesting unplanned and illegal mining in the state.
The PNNKS had appealed against the environment clearance granted to the Sesa Goa mine in July last year, claiming that there was 100 percent opposition to the particular mine at a mandatory public hearing held at the Pirna-Nadora village.
The NGO had said in its appeal that the expert appraisal committee had played foul in recommending clearance to the mine, despite the overwhelming opposition to the project by the local villagers.
