In Brief
The Supreme Court allowed appeals by mining leaseholders challenging a High Court order that banned transportation of iron ore mined before 15 March 2018 in Goa. The Court held that a previous direction prohibiting mining from 16 March 2018 did not restrict transport of already-extracted ore. The Court distinguished between mining operations (prohibited) and transportation of mined ore (permitted) when royalty is paid. Citing legislative policy allowing six months for ore removal after lease termination, the Court permitted transport from jetties, stockyards, and pitheads via valid permits, to be completed within six months.
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