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.
The Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition against illegal mining in Goa, has stopped mining operations in the coastal state.
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.
Published 04 January 2014, 17:52 IST