Panaji: Goa government suspended the licences of all the 448 iron ore traders in the state to segregate the genuine and fake traders operating in the mining industry.
In an order issued by the newly-appointed Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya this evening, licences of these traders have been suspended and they were asked to respond back with proper documentation within a fortnight.
Acharya said the traders will have to approach the Mines Department with their documents, which should also include details about the mining companies from whom they buy the ore. State's iron ore trading is mainly handled by these traders who act as a conduit between the mine owners and exporters.
An inquiry into the issue of illegal mining trade in the state had pointed finger at the rising number of traders, many of whom were operating with the fake postal addresses and details.
Acharya said the state Mines Ministry will formulate proper guidelines for the traders. "Only those, who fall within the guidelines, will be eligible to trade in the state," he added.
Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), a parent body of ore exporters, had earlier claimed that several million tonnes of ore were being shipped by the traders who are not registered with them.
The ore, which is termed as unclassified, was left without knowing their source of origin, giving a scope to suspect that it was illegally tapped. The Mines Ministry has also decided not to allow any further registration of mining trucks.
"We will have to either stop the registration of trucks or give them a deadline, after which no new trucks should be registered," Acharya said adding this measure was taken to reduce the traffic on the already congested roads in the mining belt.
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