21-Mar-2022: MoUs with Different Nations for Development of Mining Sector

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India has signed MoUs regarding technical exchange and development of mining sector with the Republic of Mali; the Kingdom of Morocco; the Republic of Peru; the Republic of Zimbabwe; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; the Federative Republic of Brazil; the Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia; the Republic of Chile; the Florida International University Board of Trustees on behalf of its Department of Earth and Environment, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, United States of America; and Rosgeologia (Rosgeo) a legal entity incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation.

Ministry of Mines has implemented Sustainable Mining by making provisions under Chapter-V of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017. Rule 35 of MCDR provides for star rating of the mining leases based on the sustainable mining practices adopted by the miners.

Star rating has been made mandatory under Rule 35(2) of MCDR, 2017 and every mining lease holder has to submit online self-assessment report before 1st day of July every year for the previous financial year, along with the digital images of mining lease area as per rule 34A of the said rules to the Regional Controller or the authorised officer of the Indian Bureau of Mines.

Further, as per Rule 35(4) of MCDR, 2017 every holder of a mining lease shall achieve at least three-star rating within a period of four years from the date of commencement of mining operations and thereafter maintain the same on year- on- year basis.

24-Nov-2021: Mines Ministry Attaches Special Focus on Exploration and Production of Fertilizer and Strategic Minerals

As part of unlocking India’s vast mineral potential by exploration, this year the Ministry of Mines has handed over, 152 mineral block reports to different State Governments so far. 52 potential G-4 mineral blocks approved by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have been handed over to 15 State Governments yesterday in New Delhi during the national conclave on Mines and Minerals by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi.

The States those received the mineral block reports include Madhya Pradesh (8), Chhattisgarh (6), Karnataka (7), Maharashtra (6), Odisha (5), Rajasthan (5), Jharkhand (5), Gujarat (2), Tamil Nadu (2), Telangana (1), Bihar (1), Assam (1), Arunachal Pradesh (1), Andhra Pradesh (1) and Himachal Pradesh (1). The mineral potential identified by GSI includes ferrous group of minerals, precious metals & minerals, non-ferrous & strategic minerals, industrial & fertilizer minerals.

The G-4 stage blocks are governed by the results of reconnaissance survey and supporting the mineral industry for development of bulk minerals, strategic and critical minerals, noble metals for overall participation by the stake holders. Special focus was given for bringing out potash and phosphorite blocks for exploration and production of fertilizer minerals to support the agrarian economy of the country.

Earlier in September this year, 100 potential mineral block reports have been handed over to different State Governments by the Ministry of Mines. Mineral mining paves the way for rapid industrialization and facilitates fast-paced infrastructural development. A sustainable mineral mining sector is needed to make India a five trillion dollar economy.  To build a competitive and thriving mining sector, the Centre has undertaken several innovative reforms during the last seven years.