NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association on Wednesday refuted a news report against mining companies on environmental pollution at Sonshi in Sattari taluka.
The GMOEA claimed that the news report is incorrect and misleading and that the air quality monitoring equipment are not manipulated by the companies.
“All the equipment used by the companies to measure air quality are compliant and strictly meet the guidelines as mentioned by regulatory authorities,” the GMOEA claimed.
The trade body said the mining leaseholders at Sonshi had allowed access to the Goa State Pollution Control Board to assess and monitor all equipment installed for checks on air pollution.
“This leaves no such scope for an allegation to be directed towards the companies that they manipulated any data,” the GMOEA asserted.
On May 17, based on confirmed information from a reliable source, a news report published in ‘The Navhind Times’ said the mining companies showed falsely recorded air quality readings at Sonshi.
A GSPCB study on air quality was carried out in the village, and it (initial findings are that the companies recorded fake air quality readings) will determine whether 12 iron ore leaseholders operating in the region will be given consent to operate or not.