Explaining the need to lift the ban on mining in major iron ore producing states including Goa and Karnataka, the Union Ministry of Mines is expected to soon file an affidavit in the Supreme Court.    

Due to the Supreme Court's ban, iron ore exports have declined drastically by over 70 per cent to 18 million tonne by the end of 2012-13 against 61.74 million tonne in 2011-12, according to latest data by Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI). It is estimated that the country lost about $10 billion of iron ore exports last financial year.    

The Ministry would file the affidavit within two weeks before the court. Goa mining ban is expected to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court in second half of September. The government would file an affidavit in the SC showing the data, how much impact iron ore mining ban had on the overall economy and employment and revenue generation for state governments as well.    

Christopher Fonseca, general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (Goa) and a member of the Goa Mining People’s Front also confirmed the development.