The Goan miners who were stopped from operating 25 mines in the state by the Supreme Court last week got a reprieve from the same court on Friday. The Central Empowered Committee, appointed by the Apex Court, will go into the merit of forest clearances issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) for these mines. In another order, the Supreme Court declined to interfere in the order of the MOEF to reject clearances to the seven mines which were operating within one km of the buffer zone of a wildlife sanctuary.

The Apex Court had stayed in two different orders temporary working permits issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, after it was found that they were not in accordance to the Court's guidelines. The ministry in contravention of Court's earlier order had failed to get the approval of the Central Empowered Committee prior to issuing temporary permits.

The Goan miners were told to make presentations before the Central Committee on Monday and the case will come before the Court in the first week of January.

Shivanand Salgaokar, President of the Mine Owners Exporters Association, informed that this is a respite to the exporters as they have to fulfil their export commitments. They will submit the details before the committee, he added.

The MOEF had issued fresh temporary working permits to 18 Goan mines after the earlier permits expired on November 21, 2007, in violation of the order of the Court issued on 27th April, 2007, bypassing Empowerment Committee. The Goa Foundation had immediately filed a complaint to the Committee to intervene.