Panaji: After a less-than-satisfactory response from mining companies the first time around, the directorate of mines and geology has announced the second phase of the e-auction of dumps, the tender for which went live on Tuesday. In the first phase of the e-auction of low-grade iron ore dumps, just one of the five dumps was auctioned.Govt had identified 10 low-grade iron ore dumps in the state for auction, and five were put up for auction in the first phase. However, the second phase will see a much larger exercise, with 24 dumps to be auctioned across Goa in Sanguem, Dharbandora, Bicholim, and Sattari talukas, with one even located in Sirsaim in Bardez.A majority of these dumps are located in South Goa. While most are small dumps ranging from 1 lakh tonnes to 26 lakh tonnes, the largest is in Sonus, Sattari, at 10 million tonnes.During the last auction, the largest dump received bids, but the four smaller ones did not see a single bidder.State govt fixed a reserve price of 22% for the e-auction of low-grade iron ore dumps in the state. For instance, if the Indian Bureau of Mines price is Rs 100 per tonne for low-grade iron ore and mining companies purchase the ore at auction at the 22% reserve price, companies must pay Rs 22 per tonne to govt.The Supreme Court allowed Goa govt to carry out dump mining activity in the state in accordance with an expert committee’s report.Accordingly, the policy for regulating iron ore dump handling was notified on Sept 14, 2023. The Dump Handling Policy, 2023, paved the way to deal with the 700 million tonnes of low-grade iron ore lying inside and outside mining leases across Goa, and to export 25 million tonnes per annum. Up to 25 million tonnes of ore from dump handling can be exported.
