The Supreme Court of India has lifted the iron ore mining ban in the Indian state of Goa, with an upper limit of 20 million mt per year, according to media reports.
An expert panel is expected to submit a report within six weeks recommending how to cap annual iron ore extraction.
In September 2012, the government of Goa halted iron ore mining due to "serious illegalities and irregularities" in mining operations, with India's Supreme Court suspending iron ore transport in Goa a month later. In November 2013, the Supreme Court allowed sale of 11.46 million mt of iron ore in stockpiles but maintained the ban on iron ore mining in Goa.