RESOURCES OF GOA

 

MINERAL RESOURCES OF GOA

 The state of Goa is richly endowed primarily with ferro-manganese mineral ores. Other than this Goa also has a deposit of Iron ore and Bauxite, though of relatively poor quality. The mining belt of Goa covers approximately 700 sq. km. and is divided into three regions based on the concentration of the iron ore: Northern, Central and Southern Zone. Usgao River is the dividing line for northern and central zone and Sanguem River between the central and southern zone. The maximum area under mining is in Sanguem Taluka followed by Bicholim, Sattari and Quepem. The iron ore deposits in northern parts are nch in quality and quantity as compared to the deposits in Central and Southern parts. The zon ore deposits in Goa are mainly hematite.

The main iron ore bearing zone is divided into four separate areas by major faults. The areas are: Bicholim Pale area Sancordem area Shigao Kalay area Sanguem Quepem area.

Iron ore mining operation are of opencast type. It is carried out by forming systema benches on the hilltop and along hill slopes. The pits are laterally extended in stages in directions with increasing depth. Mining sector is completely owned by private sector.

Bauxite in Goa is of explanation required and is of metallurgical grades type. is used for various applications such as cement, alumina, chemicals, etc. The bauxite deposits are concentrated in southern parts of the state and the Bauxite mines are spread over an area of 1263.678 HA. with estimated reserves of 70 million tons The mines are situated in the close proximity of two major places, viz. Marmugoa Pon and Betul jetty. The manganese is of poor quality as the mineral content varies from 30 to 45% in most of the deposits, with exception where the concentration reaches to about 58 to 60%.

Other minor minerals include river sand, laterite (locally known as "Chira") are minet for their use in construction industry. Mining is an important economic activity in Goa as provides employment opportunities to a variety of skilled and unskilled jobs.

Mining and associated activities have greatly affected the natural landscape in and around these areas, which is characterized by the presence of pits and waste rejects.

ENERGY RESOURCES OF GOA

 The state of Goa does not produce any power but the demand for energy is on a rise and hence the government of Goa is taking measures to develop renewable energy resources as a part of its policy of Power.

The major objectives of energy policy is as follows:

 i) Promoting generation of clean and green power to substitute, fossil fuel consumption.

ii) Encouraging to private sector for development of roof top solar power. Other renewable forms of energy resources include, utilization of wind and biomass.

iii) Promote environmental awareness.

iv) Productive use of waste lands, abandoned mines and the open spaces.

V)To promote simultaneously the co-generation of power like waste heat recovery or utilization of recycled resources.

 vi) To enhance skills and create employment opportunities at various levels.

 vii) To promote establishment of local manufacturing facilities for solar and renewable power plants.

 viii) To build capacity in the State to initiate, use and sustain, effective management of renewable energy technologies.

To achieve this it is proposed that the state is able to generate 50 MW of solar and wind power. Install 10,000 units of 100 LPD hot water equivalents of solar thermal installations by 2020 and a 20 MW equivalent of Bio-mass power generation capacity.

The state government also aims to promote and encourage projects and associated manufacturing facilitiement is to POWER PARKS so as to accelerate the development of solar power generation. These solar parks may be established at appropriate locations in the state of Goa either by private developers on their own or through Public and Private Production model on cost sharing basis. It also aims to have a single window clearance mechanism to promote development of renewable energy resources. The government also promotes vehicles running on solar energy.