While the state government is preparing for the third round of iron ore mineral blocks, the Union mines ministry has tightened the Mineral Auction Rules, 2015 to make it compulsory for states to inform to the Centre within the next 45 days on mines that are ready for auctioning.
President has given assent to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023. With this, the Central government is empowered to auction mines and ramp up production of 26 critical minerals in India.
India has proposed opening up offshore mining or deep-sea mining of non-atomic minerals or poly-metallic nodules to private companies. Production leases are to be granted only through competitive bidding.
The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 26, 2023. The Bill proposes to omit at least six previously mentioned atomic minerals from a list of 12 which cannot be commercially mined.
The Government of Karnataka on March 17, 2023 published the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2023 to further amend the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994. These rules shall come on March 17, 2023.
The Ministry of Mines on February 09, 2023 was notified regarding seeking comments/suggestions on the Amendment of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002. The Ministry of Mines has prepared a draft of the amendments proposed in the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2022 (OAMDR Act).
With the objective to bring down the prices of sand and gravel in the State of Punjab, the Punjab State Sand and Gravel Mining Policy, 2023 is notified under Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013 framed under section 15 and section 23C of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The Government of Meghalaya on July 4, 2022 has issued Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2022 to further amend the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016. This has come into force on July 4, 2022.
The Mining and Geological Department of Meghalaya on March 24, 2022 has issued the Meghalaya Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2022.
The Ministry of Mines on February 18, 2022 has issued the Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2022 to further amend the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015. This shall come to force on February 18, 2022.
