The Mineral Exploration Corporation (MECL), a notified mineral exploration agency under the aegis of the Ministry of Mines, government of India, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Mines & Geology (DMG), government of Goa, offering integrated mineral exploration and consultancy services.
With the signing of MoU, MECL will assess mineral resources by conducting an array of geo-scientific exploration and will finalise the mineral blocks to be auctioned and establish the state’s mineral inventory.
The recent amendments to the MMDR Amendment Act 2021, Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2021 and Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Amendment Rules will further pave the way for states to fast-track the auction process of their mineral acreages, thus making the role of DMG, government of Goa, pivotal in the process of assessment and allocation of their mineral acreages.
The state has been bestowed with large deposits of Iron Ore (1,456 million tonne) as well as occurrence of other major minerals such as Bauxite (55 million tonne) and Manganese Ore (34 million tonne).
Iron Ore mining in the state hugely contributes to the regional income and employment in the state.