India 2018

Industry 363
Central Government to formulate rules for regulation of grant of mineral
concessions for major minerals; in accordance of which Mineral Concession
Rules, 1960 have been framed. Section 18 of MMDR Act, 1957 empowers the
Central Government to frame rules for the conservation and systematic
development of minerals and for the protection of environment in accordance
of which Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 have been framed.
Section 15 of MMDR Act, 1957 empowers state governments to frame rules for
regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions
in respect of minor minerals; accordingly all state governments and some union
territories have framed their own rules in this regard.
The central government by exercising the power under respective power
conferring Sections under MMDR, Act, 1957, the following rules were framed
and notified to give effect to the newly amended provision of the said Act and
also give boost to the mining sector. The newly framed Rules are listed as The
Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015; The Minerals (Nonexclusive
Reconnaissance Permits) Rules, 2015; The Mineral (Auction) Rules,
2015; The Minerals (Mining by Government Companies) Rules, 2015; The Mines
and Minerals ( Contribution to District Mineral Foundation) Rules, 2015; The
National Exploration Trust Rules, 2015; The Minerals (Other than Atomic and
Hydrocarbons Energy Mineral Concession) Rules, 2016; The Minerals (Transfer
of Mining Lease Granted Otherwise than through Auction for Captive Purpose)
Rules, 2016; The Atomic Minerals Concession Rules, 2016; and The Mineral
Conservation and Development Rules, 2017
National Mineral Exploration Trust
The Government has notified National Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2015
and has also established National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) in
pursuance of subsection (1) of Section 9C of the Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 1957, with primary objective
to promote regional and detailed mineral exploration in the country to increase
overall mineral production and achieve sustainable development of the mineral
sector.
National Mineral Exploration Policy
Government unveiled National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016 (NMEP) which
spells out the strategy and outlines the action plan that the Government will
adopt to ensure comprehensive exploration of country's mineral resources (nonfuel
and non-coal). The NMEP primarily aims at accelerating the exploration
activity in the country through enhanced participation of the private sector.
Transparency, Auction, Monitoring and Resource Augmentation
To facilitate and expedite various clearances/approvals required after the
mineral block is allocated, an Inter-ministerial Group has been constituted to
expedite the requisite clearances to enable the early start of mining activity. The