Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced in the Assembly on 29 July, 2025 that large-scale mining activities will restart in Goa from October 2025.

Tenders have been floated for 12 mining blocks, with operations already underway in three and four others nearing completion of the auction process. “We are trying to start sustainable mining in the state in a full-fledged manner at the earliest,” CM Sawant said, adding that two major blocks will also become operational soon.

So far, the government has conducted 29 e-auctions, and the remaining four blocks are scheduled for auction. CM noted that approvals from the Director General of Mines and Safety are pending for some of the remaining blocks. Unidentified dumps on government lands will also be auctioned. Addressing challenges in South Goa, Sawant said several mines are awaiting forest clearances. Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa pointed out that only three of the 12 operational blocks are in South Goa, where residents eagerly await sustainable mining.