<p>The Goa government has started returning applications seeking new mining leases pending a report from National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and also Supreme Court ruling. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition against illegal mining in Goa, has stopped mining operations in the coastal state. <br /><br />The government has asked Nagpur-based NEERI to assess impact of mining activities on environment. State Mines and Geology Department, which received 1,144 applications has started the process of returning them, officials said.</p>
<p>The Goa government has started returning applications seeking new mining leases pending a report from National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and also Supreme Court ruling. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition against illegal mining in Goa, has stopped mining operations in the coastal state. <br /><br />The government has asked Nagpur-based NEERI to assess impact of mining activities on environment. State Mines and Geology Department, which received 1,144 applications has started the process of returning them, officials said.</p>