History Timeline

Mining concessions were granted by the Portuguese under the Mining Colonial Laws 1906 . These concessions were typically smaller in area and adjacent to each other. While the Country attained Independence in 1947, Goa was still a Portuguese territory and was liberated only in December 1961.

Major Mining concessions commenced operations since the Mid 1940’s and thereby relations were evolved with importing countries such as Japan, S.Korea, Taiwan and Europe.

Mining operations slowly evolved from the pick and shovel sector to fairly mechanised means since collaboration with the importing countries. Infrastructure and Ports were in turn mechanised by the early adaptors which over the years ensured Goan Origin ores the tag of a reliable supplier.

In order to bring uniformity in laws, the Mining Concessions were terminated and converted into Mining Leases in May 1987 by the Union of India and thereby the Plethora of Indian laws were made applicable. The matter has since been challenged and is still under consideration of the Apex Court, However, Mining operations were continued.

The Industry has over the years evolved to changing laws and regulations, introduced socially acceptable conditions to operate including the constant changing dynamics and the need to operate accordingly by ensuring transparency and added social licence to operate which is continuous. Since inception there are added suppliers and consumers but for an export driven sector, the need for Goa to remain a reliable supplier would thereby depend on adaptability to remain competitive whilst adhering and mitigating environmental concerns.

Chronology of Mining Activity in Goa:

In order to understand the evolving trends in Mining, a chronology of events has been attempted in respective period of times :

1929	First mining concession was granted by erstwhile Portuguese Regime under its Colonial Laws 1906.
1931-61	~791 mining concessions were granted by erstwhile Portuguese regime prior to liberation.
1947	First Shipment in export of ores from Goa to Europe.
1953	Mechanization of mining operations in Goa by Chowgule & Co. Ltd.
Dec 1961	Liberation of Goa from Portugal and becomes a part of India.
Mid-60’	Mechanization of mining operations in Goa by V.M. Salgaocar & Bro. Ltd.
Mid-60’	Dry processing plant (dry screening) introduced by V.M. Salgaocar & Bro. Ltd.
1967	Chowgule & Co. established 0.5 MTPA Pelletization Plant, which was only the third of its kind in the World, and the first of its kind east of the Suez Canal.
1968	Chowgule & Co. constructed 1000 DWT iron ore Barge at Sirigao Yard, Goa.
1969	Chowgule’s fund and build a mechanical ore handling terminal (Terminal Six) at the Mormugao Port.
1969	Chowgule & Co. were the first company in India to introduce a Transhipper vessel for midstream loading of iron ore, the “M.V. Maratha Deep”, thereby taking the load off Port Jetties.
1970	Another Transhipper vessel, “M.V. Sanjivani” introduced by V.M. Salgaocar Bro. Pvt. Ltd.”
1978	Chowgule & Co. established the first One MTPA capacity Beneficiation Plant at Costi, Sanguem, Goa, which was the biggest in India at that time.
1979	Mechanical Ore Handling Plant (MOHP) Commissioned at Mormugao Port (Terminal 9) with capacity of 8 MTPA. However restricted draft, hence requiring assistance of Transhippers.
1980	Another Transhipper vessel, “M.V. Swatirani” introduced by V.M. Salgaocar & Bro. Pvt. Ltd.
1982	Dempo Group introduced another Transhipper, M.V. “Priyamvada”.
1987	Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987 was promulgated on 23rd May, 1987.
1993	Chowgule & Co. commissioned the Country’s first 100% export-oriented Iron Ore Concentrate Plant at Tudou, Sanguem, Goa.
1996	Sesa Goa Ltd. becomes the first Iron Ore Mining Company in the World to be certified by QMS with ISO: 14001.
1996	Sociedade De Fomento Industrial Ltd. introduces High Grade Magnetic Separator in Beneficiation Plant.
1996	Sesa Goa introduces large transshipment vessel, “M.V. Orissa Transhipper”, for midstream loading of iron ore from barges.
1999	V.M. Salgaocar & Bro. are certified by QMS with ISO: 9001:2000.
2000	The Mining Industry in Goa, Floats Mineral Foundation of Goa an Initiative to address Socio Economic Concerns within Mining Belt of India. First of its kind in India.
2001	Sociedade Fomento Industrial Ltd., introduce floating crane “Dona Paula” for transhipment.
2002	Sesa Goa Ltd., is the first mining company in the World to be granted OHSAS 18001 certification.
2004	V.M. Salgaocar & Bro. obtain EMS Certification of ISO:14001.
2004	Timblo Group introduce Transhipper vessel “M.V. Shatixa” for mid-stream loading.
2006	V.M. Salgaocar and Dempo Groups jointly introduce “M.V. Goan Pride” for midstream loading of iron ore.
2005-2011	Exports of Goan iron ore rose from ~ 24 MT in 2004-05 to ~45 MT in 2010-11 due to enhanced demand for Ores.
2012-2014	Certain Legal concerns raised by NGO’s which have disrupted the mining operations in the State of Goa apart from a carrying capacity imposed for mining in Goa.
2016-2018	Mining Resumes for a brief period Till 15/3/2018. Industry seeking resumption since.