The draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2010, which proposes to replace the existing law that has existed since 1957, has some welcome and much-needed features to check the scourge of illegal mining, ensure that the industry is less destructive of the environment, and includes all stakeholders in the profits produced.

Differences between the law and mines ministries have widened on the issue of allowing mineral exports (of iron ore), with the law ministry demanding changes in the draft Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Bill 2010 to ensure conservation of minerals.

Pointing out that the current export duty was grossly inadequate to contain rising export of iron ore from the country, steel minister Virbhadra Singh has sought the Prime Minister

THE GROUND REALITY IN THE METALS SECTOR IS THAT THE MARKET IS REGIONALLY UNDERDEVELOPED, BACKWARD AND LAGGING IN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
JAIDEEP MISHRA

Rishi Raj, KG Narendranath

20-Yr Extension If States Don

Lamenting that undue delays in allotting captive iron ore mines to steel companies were dissuading them from going full throttle on capacity expansion, the Steel Ministry has asked the Mines Ministry to adequately equip the empowered committee to accord prior approval for mineral concessions on behalf of the Central government.

THE government proposes to operationalise the much-awaited National Mineral Policy early next year. Union minister for mines BK Handique on Monday said that the amendments to Mines and Minerals (development and regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) will be introduced in Parliament by the winter session.

By Vijesh Kamath, DH News Service, Bangalore:

The State government has notified the Karnataka Mineral Policy-2008, which in effect will open the doors for fresh licenses and renewal of existing ones.