Monday, November 28, 2011

Optimum Exploitation of Mineral Resources

In exercise of the powers under Rule 27(3) of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, the Central Government has directed all the State Government to impose a special condition in all mining leases for major minerals (excluding coal minerals) and covering reserved areas also where mining leases would be granted in future, requiring the owner of mining lease to ensure completion of detailed prospecting in a timely manner. The State Governments have agreed for imposition of the condition in review meetings.

As per the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and Rules framed there-under, all applications for grant of mining leases are filed with the State Governments. Prior approval of the Central Government is mandatory for grant of Mineral Concession for minerals in the First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. Details of applications pending with the State Government are not maintained in Central Government. However as per available information, Central Government has conveyed 22 approvals for grant of mining lease, 31 for prospecting licenses and 23 for Reconnaissance Permit in the year 2010-11. Further the Government in this Cabinet has approved a draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill 2011 which seeks to streamline the procedures for grant of mineral concession and provide suitable environment for exploration and mining.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Mines, Shri Dinsha Patel in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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