Panaji, Mar 20 (IANS): A panel appointed by the Goa government to probe illegal mining in the state will probe the illegal revival of 42 mines 17 years ago, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said Wednesday.

"Offences and illegalities committed in the mining activities in Goa will be probed including illegal orders that were passed to revive 42 dead mining leases," Parrikar said in the assembly.

He was responding to a question by Congress legislator Vishwajeet Rane.

The 42 mines amount to a little less than half the 'legally' operated mining leases which were functioning until recently.

The chief minister said the Justice R.M.S. Khandeparkar committee would also identify public servants and others in aiding and abetting the offences and illegalities in the mining operations.

The committee was appointed by the Goa government last year to investigate and examine the findings of the Shah Commission report on illegal mining which exposed a Rs.35,000 crore scam in the sector.

The Supreme Court banned mining in Goa five months ago following a petition by local voluntary organisations along with noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan.