GEOMIN project to monitor mining violations in state

To ensure transparency, detect violations in mining leases and extraction of minerals outside designated areas, the state government is using satellite imaging to monitor mining activities in lease areas.

The GEOMIN project — which has been undertaken by the Directorate of Geology and Mining government of Maharashtra — covers major minerals like coal, bauxite, manganese ore and iron ore, and there are plans to extend the project to cover areas where mining for minor minerals is undertaken.

"This will enable us monitor mining lease areas through satellite images. These images can be overlapped with village maps to check if mining activities are taking place outside lease areas. This tracking can be done at district, divisional and the state levels and action can be taken," said a senior official from the department.

The measure seeks to prevent and check illegal mining activities in about 12 districts where major minerals are extracted. States like Karnataka and Goa have seen controversy over illegal mining, underpayment of royalties to the government, environmental degradation and violation of leases.

The mining leases have been digitised and alerts and other features have been incorporated to enable stronger ground-level monitoring and detection of violations. The project, which covers major minerals like coal, bauxite, manganese ore, iron ore, limestone and sillimanite has been implemented by the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC).

The tracking will initially be done once a year and later extended to a twice a year system. However, the project covers only open cast mines and not underground ones.

"Mining leases have been given (decades ago)... and there have been violations in these leases. Hence, we have installed boundary pillars. This (project) will ensure that these violations do not take place again," the official explained, adding that this would also help them ensure that waste is not dumped outside.

The project, which will also enable officials to get details of production by the mines, quantity mined, monthly project monitoring and environment violations, will be supplemented with checks at the ground level.

The project was initiated in 2013 and has been completed recently. "We also plan to extend it to minor minerals," the official said.

The official pointed out that justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry on the illegal mining in Goa, had made recommendations like the state government ensuring geo-referencing of all the mining lease boundaries to improve the verification of these boundaries, reducing illegal mining, encroachments and transfer.

Listed minor minerals, include building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, limes stone used for lime burning, boulders, kankar, murum, brick earth, bentonite, road metal, slate, marble and stones used for making household utensils.

Those illegally extracting minerals without prior permission from the authorities can be punished with fines, seizure, recovery of illegally mined material, rent, taxes and loyalties, and imprisonment.