Posted on 23 Sep 2025
Goa has recently shipped freshly extracted iron ore to China for the first time since mining resumed, Kallanish reports.
Vedanta Sesa Goa exported 0.3 million tonnes from Bicholim mines. This is as a significant step in reviving the state’s long-dormant mining industry.
The state government is offering 0.75mt of iron ore for e-auction on 13-14 October. This stock was mined before September 2012, prior to the long shutdown. The last e-auction was nearly a year ago.
Only 25% of auctioned mineral blocks have started production since 2022. Of 12 blocks sold in three rounds, activity began at just three.
The Goa Mineral Ore Exporters’ Association (GMOEA) has raised concerns over potential export duties on low-grade ore below 58% Fe.
Mining was first halted in 2012 after the Shah Commission report before resuming in 2015. A second suspension came in March 2018 when the Supreme Court quashed 88 lease renewals. Full-scale operations restarted on 4 April 2024, with Vedanta leading fresh extraction at Bicholim Block I.
The government plans to cap production per block, following the Supreme Court’s export limit of 20mt. Handling of low-grade ore is set to start as Chowgule and Company received approval to manage 3 lakh tonnes at Shirgao at a 22% premium.
Source:Kallanish
