Restart iron ore mining within six months via the state corporation and block auctions
“Within six months of returning to power, we will start mining in the state through the Goa Mineral Development Corporation and auction of iron ore blocks through transparent leasing and by following the due process of law.”
The verdict
Block auctions began in 2022-23. Mining restarted on 4 Apr 2024, when Vedanta's Bicholim block began operating, the first auctioned mine since the 2018 ban. That is about 18 months after the six-month deadline. By Nov 2025 five blocks were operating. Mining restarted through private auction winners; no evidence of GMDC mining was found.
Rule applied: Kept late: achieved 6 months to 2 years after the deadline → 8
Evidence timeline
- Manifesto8 Feb 2022· BJP Goa PradeshcontextGoa Sankalp Patra 2022 (English), PDF p. 4 ↗
“Within six months of returning to power, we will start mining in the state through the Goa Mineral Development Corporation and auction of iron ore blocks through transparent leasing and by following the due process of law.”
- News4 Apr 2024· Outlook India (PTI)supportsVedanta Commences Mining In Goa Block; Historic Day, Says CM Sawant ↗
“The firm said it had started mining operations at Bicholim mineral block in the state. It had emerged as the successful bidder for the block in 2022.”
- News5 Apr 2024· The GoansupportsDawn of new mining era in Goa; Vedanta starts Ops ↗
“Bicholim Mineral Block ... is the first auctioned mine to become operational since March 2018, following a blanket ban on mining by the Supreme Court.”
- News5 Nov 2025· O HeraldosupportsGoa to Auction 10 Iron Ore Mining Dumps in January 2026; Five Blocks Already Operational ↗
“five out of the 12 auctioned mineral blocks ... combined production capacity of 5.3 million tonnes”
- News14 May 2026· The GoancontextNational giants sweep Goa's iron ore sector ↗
“The block auctions have been conducted in phases since 2022, with four blocks auctioned in 2022-23, five in 2023-24, three in 2024-25 and six in the latest phase.”
More economy promises from this manifesto
Homestay scheme with a Rs 5 lakh interest-free loan and training for locals
Board laga hai: kaam chalu hai. Hum bhi dekh rahe hain.
Double annual tourist arrivals in five years
Board laga hai: kaam chalu hai. Hum bhi dekh rahe hain.
Make Goa the MICE (meetings, conventions, exhibitions) hub of Asia
Gol gol baatein detected. Measure karne ke liye kuch nahi mila.
Promise ID bjp-ga-2022-009 · drafted 5 Oct 2026 by research-agent · JSON