the goan I network
PANAJI
The Central Mines Ministry has asked the Mines Secretaries of several states including Goa to ensure that all the mining lessees, whose leases are expiring on March 31, 2020, and who have been instructed to carry out a general exploration over the entire mineralised areas before April 1, 2019, do so in a time-bound manner.
The directions which were sent on Thursday, are with the intention of preparing the expiring mining leases for the auction process in a time bound manner and give the preferred bidders time to obtain various statutory clearances before commencing mining operations.
Non captive mining leases expire on March 31, 2020, under section 8A(6) of the MMDR Act.
The move, the central mines ministry says, is to ensure that there is no disruption in production in the mineral sector and that it is important that these expiring mining leases are put up for auction in a timely manner for which the exploration is necessary.
Late last month, the Central Government’s Ministry of Mines has amended the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 now seeking that mining leases which are to expire on March 31, 2020 carry out general exploration over the entire mineralised area under the mining lease before April 1, 2019, and submit to State Government and the Indian Bureau of Mines.
The central government through the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2015, had mandated that all mining leases granted before 2015, where the mineral is used for other than captive purpose, shall be extended and be deemed to have been extended up to a period ending on March 31, 2020. Around 140 mining leases in Goa fall under this category.
