The Supreme Court of India on Friday continued the ban imposed on excavation operations in iron ore mines in Goa, and also ordered a complete ban on the movement of iron ore in the state.

On 10 of September, the government of Goa had suspended all mining operations till the month of October, but non-governmental organisation Goa Foundation’s counsel Prashant Bhushan argued that suspension didn’t affect the trade as private companies were still transporting iron and magnesium ores that had already been mined.

A ‘green’ bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam took note of the Justice M B Shah Commission’s report, and issued notice to the Centre and Goa government.

The Shah Commission report alleges that illegal mining of ores in Goa over the past twelve years has robbed the exchequer of Rs 35,000 crore.

Anti-mining activist Ramesh Gawas welcomed the ruling saying, “Mine owners have always believed that they are above the law since the Portuguese era, and this order has shown them their place, and that they are not above the law.”

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the apex court’s recent ruling endorsed the state government’s order that had put a ban on all mining activities around a month ago.

Parrikar also claimed that his government had not done any irregularities in mining.