TABJ - July 5 - Two of Goa’s most influential mouthpieces in the mining industry have called for the opencast industry to be nationalised, reporters in Panaj relayed from Monday.

According to Congress Rajya Sabha MP, responsible for the nation’s natural resources and a trade union pioneering veteran, and Sanjeeva Reddy— president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and vice president of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)—upwards of 100 mining companies are pocketing profits from iron ore, manganese, bauxite and other minerals when they ought to be benefitting Goa’s native people.

“The government should take over these mines immediately. It will benefit crores, rather than the private businessmen who are exporting ore to China. Ore is a national resource, it should not be exported,” Reddy told press.

“All this raw ore is being exported to China. We have ore stocks which will last for about 50 to 60 years. After that we will have to import ore. This mindless export must stop immediately.”

In the case of iron ore in particular, rumoured to be worth nearly Rs.6,000 crore annual revenue, Goa represents a vital element of supply to various countries, including China where export demand continues to soar. It is also reported that many of the 100 mining leases granted in the country are operated by powerful private entities.