Business
Industry associations call for legislative route to resume mining in Goa
With the BJP getting re-elected in Goa, the call for resuming mining operations in the state has grown louder. It has been four years since mining was stopped in Goa and industry associations claim that the ban has severely hurt the state’s economy, along with adversely affecting people’s livelihoods. According to a recent survey, nearly two in five Goan households have been impacted by the mining ban in some way or the other.
Despite several appeals by different stakeholders to the government in the past, no action has been taken on the ground. In a fresh set of recommendations, CII Goa State Council and Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) have urged to immediately resume sustainable mining to revive the state economy.
Last week, the Goa Mining People’s Front (GMPF) too urged the state and central leadership to act in the matter. In February 2018, the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases in Goa, bringing the local iron ore industry to a standstill. The decision affected the livelihoods of over 3 lakh mining dependents in the state.
Recommendations have been made by CII Goa to the Centre and State to resume mining in the State. CII as an apex industry body strongly recommends the resumption of sustainable mining to bring Goa’s economy back on track. Though great efforts have been put in by various industry bodies in the state, very little has been seen on ground.
Since the mining concessions which were given in perpetuity under Portuguese Law were converted into Mining Leases by the Abolition Act 1987, it is only fair that the benefit of a tenure of 50 years from date of grant which is available to leases throughout the country as per the 2015 MMDR Amendment Act, be made available to Goan leases. Though the leases came into being in 1987, the tenure was made effective retrospectively from 1961 to protect the revenue collected by the state government from 1961-1987.
This retrospective application of the Act has been struck down by the High Court and the issue is pending before a 9 judge bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The Ministry of Mines has even filed an application before the Hon’ble Supreme Court urging that the matter be expeditiously heard since till then, no further action can be taken with respect to the leases. Under the circumstances, a legislative cure as suggested above is the only option for a swift resumption of mining which is a source of revenue not only to the government but also to many secondary and tertiary industries in Goa.
It’s also relevant to point out that almost 30 per cent of the sale price of ore produced goes to the State exchequer in the form of royalty, contribution to District Mineral Fund, Iron ore Permanent Fund etc. “There is an urgent need for the authorities to take necessary decisions in the interest and growth of the state” said Swati Salgaocar, Chairperson, CII Goa State Council.
Voicing similar concerns, Ralph De Sousa, President, Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), said, “Mining is the lifeline of Goan economy. Mining is going on normally all over the Country except goa. It’s up to the Central Govt to restart Mining with proper checks & balances. GCCI strongly feels that the State’s Commerce and Industry needs a boost to get over the current economic lull that is caused due to mining closure for the last 4 years and further worsened with Covid pandemic. The Ukraine war may further affect the business some way or the other. Need of the hour is that both these sectors have to jump start to tide over the economic crisis for overall socio-economic development of the state. We have already represented to the state Government for its immediate attention to resolve the mining matter in a sustainable yet quickest possible manner. GCCI membership is awaiting the opportunity to benefit from mining which will in turn address the unemployment crisis of the state.”
Glenn Kalavampara, Secretary, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association said, “The Wealth of the Minerals are meaningless unless they are extracted, processed & converted into goods, meant for the benefit of mankind. It’s rather unfortunate that despite generating valuable economic returns as well as providing livelihood to many, mining in Goa had been under a constant suspension since Mid-March 2018. Concerned Stakeholders have repeatedly been raising concerns & hopeful of a solution since long. Post 4 years, the stakeholders dependent on the mining operations have only undergone endless pain, depression and anxieties.”
The industry associations have said that mining activities should be immediately resumed in the state to undo the livelihood and economic deadlock and allow Goans to earn a stable income and work for a better future.
Mumbai, May 4: Gold and silver prices declined up to 1 per cent on Monday amid signs of easing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, following remarks by US President Donald Trump.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold contracts for June 5 opened at Rs 1,51,150, down Rs 382 or 0.25 per cent from the previous close of Rs 1,51,532.
At around 11.30 a.m., gold was trading at Rs 1,50,623, lower by Rs 729 or 0.48 per cent. The yellow metal touched an intraday low of Rs 1,50,400, a decline of 0.62 per cent or Rs 952, and an intraday high of Rs 1,51,347.
On the other hand, silver contracts for July 3 opened at Rs 2,50,699, down Rs 238 or 0.09 per cent compared to the previous close of Rs 2,50,937. The white metal was trading at Rs 2,49,600, down Rs 1,337 or 0.53 per cent.
So far in the session, silver futures hit a low of Rs 2,49,600, a decrease of 1.05 per cent or Rs 2,599, and a high of Rs 2,51,231.
Meanwhile, in the international market, both precious metals remained under pressure. COMEX gold was down 0.55 per cent at $4,619 per ounce, while silver declined 0.48 per cent to $76.065 per ounce.
A commodity market expert said gold prices extended last week’s decline, hovering near one-month lows, as a stronger dollar and elevated crude oil prices weighed on sentiment.
The expert further noted that while easing US-Iran tensions reduced some safe-haven demand, supply risks in the Strait of Hormuz continued to fuel inflation concerns, prompting a cautiously hawkish stance from major central banks, which also weighed on bullion.
US President Donald Trump said the United States would initiate efforts to help vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a humanitarian gesture aimed at assisting neutral countries not involved in the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
According to Trump, Washington would launch ‘Project Freedom’ to guide the stranded ships and their crews safely through the route.
However, he warned that Iran would face a strong response if any threat emerged.
In addition, crude oil prices declined sharply.
Brent crude fell 0.61 per cent to $107.51 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 2.77 per cent to $99.11 a barrel.
New Delhi, May 3: Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, OPEC+ countries have agreed in principle to raise oil output targets in June.
Multiple reports say that seven OPEC+ countries have agreed to raise oil output targets by about 188,000 barrels per day next month. The output hike would rather be largely symbolic until Strait of Hormuz reopens.
This will be the third consecutive monthly increase amid the geopolitical crisis and the departure of the UAE from the group.
With the UAE leaving, OPEC+ includes 21 members, including Iran.
However, only the seven nations (and the UAE) have been involved in monthly production decisions. Iran, also an OPEC+ member, has seen its own exports dwindle amid the blockade.
Crude oil output from all OPEC+ members averaged 35.06 million bpd in March, down 7.70 million bpd from February.
Last week, the UAE announced it was leaving the OPEC and OPEC+ cartels in what is seen as a major setback to the group of oil-exporting countries led by Saudi Arabia. The UAE said the decision reflected its “long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile”.
The exit of the UAE is expected to weaken the oil cartel at a time when the Persian Gulf countries have taken a huge hit to their exports due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by an embattled Iran. The UAE accounts for around 15 per cent of the OPEC oil exports.
Reports also surfaced that Kuwait exported zero barrels of crude oil in April, a situation not seen since the 1991 Iraqi occupation, due to blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Kuwait Petroleum Corp declared force majeure, impacting around 2 million barrels per day. The blockade has led to a complete disruption in Kuwaiti exports.
Meanwhile, oil prices dropped after reports said Iran proposed fresh talks with the United States using Pakistan as a mediator.
West Texas Intermediate fell more than five per cent and dropped below $100 per barrel. It later recovered to $101.7.
Brent crude also fell more than three per cent to $106.98 before rising again to $108.4.
New Delhi, Gold prices dipped 0.81 per cent during the week as negotiations between the United States and Iran stalled, denting hopes for near‑term interest‑rate cuts.
On Friday, MCX gold June futures gained 0.01 per cent while MCX silver May futures inched up 0.49 per cent. Currently, gold futures stand at Rs 1,51,363, while silver futures stand at Rs 2,47,500 per kg.
The price of 10 grams of 24-carat gold was at Rs 1,50,263 on Thursday, down from Rs 1,51,495 seen on Monday market opening, according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).
In international markets, bullion dropped as much as 1.2 per cent on Friday after gaining 1.5 per cent in the previous session, weighed down by rising energy costs and firmer Treasury yields. Gold has fallen nearly 14 per cent since the US-Iran conflict began on February 28, 2026, traders said.
The Iranian administration maintained that the US blockade would have to end before the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened, according to multiple media reports. Iranian state media said that Tehran had delivered a fresh proposal for talks to Pakistani mediators, but both sides signalled they were waiting for the other to make the first move.
“While diplomatic engagements remained active, the absence of a decisive breakthrough kept the geopolitical risk premium firmly embedded in prices,” an analyst said.
US inflation data showed the headline PCE price index at 3.5 per cent in March, at its highest level in nearly three years, reinforcing the view that policy rates may stay higher for longer.
Analysts said that rising energy prices could lead to central banks maintaining interest rates higher for longer, which would pressure non-yielding assets like gold.
Crude oil traded with heightened volatility through the week but retained a firm undertone, holding near elevated levels as concerns around potential supply disruptions persisted. The market continues to price in risks to global oil flows, limiting meaningful downside and providing support on dips.
Precious metals entered a phase of corrective consolidation following their recent safe-haven rally, analysts said.
Gold and silver witnessed intermittent profit booking at higher levels through the week, while selective buying interest emerged near key support zones. Safe-haven demand has eased marginally but continues to lend support on declines amid lingering uncertainty.
COMEX gold traded near the $4,620–$4,650 zone, and a major resistance is seen at the $4,700–$4,760 levels. Overall, the trend remains constructive with a cautious near-term bias, with strength dependent on a breakout above resistance.
COMEX Silver is currently trading above $76, and the broader trend remains constructive but with a cautious near-term bias, market participants said.
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