Act 067 of 1957 : Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

Ministry

Ministry of Mines

Enforcement Date

31 May 1958

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Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

ACTNO. 67 OF 1957

28 December, 1957

An Act to provide for the1[development and regulation of mines and minerals] under the control of the Union

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Eighth Year of the Republic of India as follow:

statement of objects and reasons

Statement of Objects and Reasons . The differentiation made between petroleum and other minerals in Items 53 and 54 of the Union List has rendered separate enactments for the two necessary. The present Bill deals only with minerals other than petroleum. At present both are dealt with under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 (53 of 1948).

Opportunity has been taken of putting forward this legislation to make some necessary changes in the provisions of the existing Act dictated by experience. These changes refer to

( i ) the prescription of a maximum limit of 50 square miles for a prospecting licence [Clause 6(1)];

( ii ) the grant of a second renewal to the holder of a mining lease for iron ore and bauxite under certain circumstances [Clause 8(2)];

( iii ) the authorisation of the Central Government to undertake prospecting and mining operations in any land after prior consultation with the State Government [Clause 16];

( iv ) the promulgation of rules for the benefication of low grade ores [Clause 17(2)( c )]:

( v ) the recovery of royalty, dead rent and other sums due to Government in the same manner as arrears of land revenue [Clause 24]; and

( vi ) the delegation of certain powers to State Governments and by State Governments to their subordinate authorities [Clause 25].

A number of provisions hitherto dealt with under the rule-making powers of the Central Government have been transferred to the Act in order to restrict the scope of subsidiary legislation. These provisions are:

( i ) no concession shall be granted to a person not in possession of a certificate of approval [Clause 5(1)];

( ii ) the maximum period for which a prospecting licence or a mining lease may be granted [Clauses 7 and 8];

( iii ) the power to prescribe rates of royalty for various minerals [Clause 9 and Schedule II];

( iv ) applications for prospecting licences and mining leases to be made in prescribed forms [Clause 10(1)];

( v ) the priorities to be observed in the grant of prospecting licences and mining leases [Clause 11(2)]; and

( vi ) the power to make rules for regulating the grant of mineral concessions [Clause 13].

statement of objects and reasons of amending act 15 of 1958

Statement of Objects and Reasons of Amending Act 15 of 1958 . In view of its importance as basic fuel and the position it occupies in the country's economy, coal has always been treated differently from other minerals. It is in recognition of this that no rules have been framed so far under Section 7 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, in regard to modification of the terms and conditions of mining leases for coal granted before the commencement of that Act, though other minerals have been covered.

2. The Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), which replaces the Act of 1948, however, specifically extends the rate of royalty prescribed in the Second Schedule to mining leases granted before the 25th October, 1949, in respect of coal also and makes it obligatory for the other terms and conditions of such leases to be brought into conformity with the provisions of the Act and the rules made under Sections 13 and 18. It is considered that these changes will have numerous undesirable consequences. The area covered by these mining leases are principally in West Bengal and Bihar and they account for as much as 80 per cent, of the total coal production in the country. The royalties paid on this coal vary over a wide range but are generally much below the rate per ton prescribed in the Second Schedule. A sudden and uniform increase of these royalties is likely to have an unsettling effect on the industry and may retard the programme of coal production under the Second Five Year Plan. The same adverse effect would be felt by a sudden modification of the other terms and conditions.

3. The object of the present Bill is accordingly to exempt mining leases for coal granted before the 25th October, 1949 from the operation of sub-section (1) of Section 9 and sub-section (1) of Section 16 of the Act, with powers to Government to extend these provisions to such leases at a future date subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be considered necessary.

statement of objects and reasons of amending act 56 of 1972

Statement of Objects and Reasons of Amending Act 56 of 1972 . Over fourteen years have elapsed since the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 came into force. In course of these years, large strides have been made in the development of mines and minerals in the country. The production tasks before the nation in the fields of steel, non-ferrous metals, fertilizers, chemicals, power generation etc. call for measures for systematic and massive utilisation of the natural resources of the country.

2. The Mineral Advisory Board has from time to time reviewed the working of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and made recommendations for amending some of the existing provisions and the introduction of new provisions covering certain areas not so far dealt with in the Act. These recommendations cover the following principal points

( i ) imposition of a ceiling on individual holdings of prospecting licences and mining leases;

( ii ) imposition of a specific obligation on holders of mining leases in respect of payment of royalty for minerals removed by their agents, sub-lessees, or employees;

( iii ) provision of a statutory basis for calculation of dead rent;

( iv ) introduction of regulations governing mineral concessions in respect of minerals underlying the ocean within the territorial waters or the continental shelf in India;

( v ) application of Minor Mineral Rules to quarry leases;

( vi ) provision for modification of mining leases granted by former landlords before the vesting of their estates under land reform enactments;

( vii ) enhancement of penalties for infringement of Mineral Concession Rules and compounding of offences;

( viii ) assumption of power by Government to authorise investigation for minerals in lands in respect of which the minerals vest in private persons;

( ix ) assumption of power by Government to authorise investigation for minerals in lands already held under prospecting licence or mining lease; and

( x ) creation of a first charge on the assets of the holder of a mineral concession on account of mining dues.

3. The conference of State Government Ministers of Mining and Geology held on the 27th July, 1972, further recommended that in the interests of mineral development, Government should assume powers for termination of an existing mining lease so as to enable mineral development of that area by a Government company or corporation owned or controlled by Government.

statement of objects and reasons of amending act 37 of 1986

Statement of Objects and Reasons of Amending Act 37 of 1986 . The Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 provides for the regulation of mines and the development of minerals under the control of the Union. Since the last amendment of the Act in 1972, many problems have come to the fore. The adverse effects of mining operation on ecology and environment have increasingly come to notice. In many cases, mining operations have been undertaken without proper prospecting resulting in unscientific mining. Further, a number of Committees have stressed the need for amending certain provisions of the Act with the object of removing bottle-necks and promoting speedy development of mineral based industries. State Governments and representatives of trade and industry have in formal forums like the Mineral Advisory Council as well as in other forums, expressed the desirability of taking a fresh look at the various provisions of the Act with a view to making them more effective and development-oriented.

2. The suggestions made from time to time have been considered and incorporated in the present Bill, which, inter alia, includes the following salient features, namely

( i ) inclusion of 11 more minerals of national importance in the First Schedule to the Act;

( ii ) premature termination of prospecting licences and mining leases on ecological and other grounds;

( iii ) dispensing with the Certificate of Approval, Income-tax clearance certificate, etc., for the grant of prospecting licences and mining leases;

( iv ) prospecting of an area and preparation of mining plan as a pre-condition for the grant of a mining lease;

( v ) rationalisation of the period of mining leases, and renewals thereof;

( vi ) shorter periodicity for purposes of revision of royalty and dead rent; and

( vii ) provision for increasing the quantum of punishment to curb illegal mining activities.

3. The Bill seeks to provide for the above objects.

statement of objects and reasons of amending act 38 of 1999

Statement of Objects and Reasons of Amending Act 38 of 1999 . The Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 provides for the regulation of mines and development of minerals other than petroleum and natural gas. Consequent upon the decisions taken in the Conference of the State Ministers/Secretaries of Mines and Geology held in December, 1996, a Committee under the Chairmanship of the then Secretary, Ministry of Mines was constituted in February, 1997 to, inter alia, make recommendations regarding delegation of powers to the State Governments relating to grant and renewal of prospecting licences and mining leases and other related approvals and to suggest measures to reduce delay in this regard, review of the existing laws and procedures governing the regulation and development of minerals to make them more compatible with the changed policies and measures for prevention of illegal mining. The Committee in its report made wide-ranging recommendations in the area of delegation of powers to the State Governments, procedural simplifications, etc., which will go a long way to mitigate the problems faced by the States and the prospective investors while, at the same time, keeping the interests of the mining industry in particular and the national interest, in general, intact. After careful consideration of the recommendations of the Committee, the Government has decided to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957.

2. Some of the more important amendments to be made are as follows

( i ) The new concept of reconnaissance operations, as a stage of operation distinct from actual prospecting operations and the corresponding right of mineral concession under the nomenclature of reconnaissance permit is proposed to be codified to facilitate investments through deployment of state-of-the-art exploration technologies and accelerate exploration of mineral resources. Consequential amendments to provide for suitable insertion of expressions reconnaissance , reconnaissance-operations and reconnaissance permit are also proposed.

( ii ) Part C of the First Schedule to the Act is proposed to be pruned by deletion of the mineral limestone from the said Part of the First Schedule to the Act so as to delegate full powers to the State Governments for grant of mineral concessions in respect of limestone. Further, the Act is proposed to be amended to provide for the recognition of evidence of existence of mineral contents in an area otherwise than by means of prospecting also, as a criterion for grant of mining lease and for delegating certain powers of approval of mining plans to the State Governments. The limits on the maximum area for which prospecting licence and mining lease can be granted are proposed to be liberalised by making the existing limits reckonable State-wise in place of country-wide as at present. Further, the powers for grant of prospecting licence and mining lease in areas which are not compact and contiguous are proposed to be delegated to the State Governments. The Notification delegating the powers of grant of first renewal of prospecting licence and mining lease is proposed to be brought into legislation through amendments of the related provisions of the Act thereto and the powers of second and subsequent renewal of mining lease in respect of minerals included in Part C of the First Schedule to the Act are proposed to be delegated to the State Governments.

( iii ) A new provision is proposed to be inserted in the Act prohibiting transportation or storage or anything causing transportation or storage of any mineral except under the due provisions of the Act, with a view to preventing illegal mining. Further, the Act is proposed to be amended to cover the breach of the provisions of the proposed new provision of the Act to be punishable. It is also proposed to insert a new provision to provide for anything seized under the Act as liable for confiscation under court orders. A new section is proposed to be inserted to empower the State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for purposes connected therewith.

3. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.

statement of objects and reasons of amending act 34 of 2010

Statement of Objects and Reasons of Amending Act 34 of 2010 . The Coal Mines Nationalisation Act, 1973 (26 of 1973), allows private companies engaged in generation of power, production of iron and steel, washing of coal obtained from mines and such other enduses as may be specified by the Central Government by notification, to carry on coal mining for their captive enduse.

2. In order to allocate coal blocks to private companies for captive mining of coal, a Screening Committee was set up in the Ministry of Coal through an administrative order, to consider applications made by various companies. The Screening Committee is an Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Governmental body, having representatives from various administrative Ministries/Departments concerned of the Central Government, the State Governments where the coal blocks are located, and coal companies, etc.

3. With the progressive allocation of coal blocks, the number of coal blocks available for allocation is declining while the number of applicants per block is increasing, as the demand for coal keeps increasing. This has made selection of an applicant in respect of a block difficult and vulnerable to criticism on the ground of lack of transparency and objectivity.

4. While efforts are on hand to continuously add blocks to the captive list, it was also expected that the demand for blocks would remain far ahead of supply. Therefore, a necessity has arisen to bring in a process of selection that is not only objective but also transparent. Auction through competitive bidding for allocation of coal blocks to private companies is one such acceptable selection process. While the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act, 1973, besides providing for nationalisation and associated provisions, specifies who can and who cannot undertake coal mining in India, the entities permitted to carry on coal mining under the said Act follow the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the rules made thereunder, for acquiring mineral rights, mining lease and other matters related to mineral administration. Hence, selection process by auction through competitive bidding for allocation of coal blocks to private companies is sought to be introduced through an amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

5. In the proposed arrangement, auction by competitive bidding shall not be applicable in respect of allocation of coal blocks to Government company or a Central or State Public Sector Undertaking. Further, competitive bidding shall not be applicable for allocation of coal blocks to a company or corporation that has been awarded a power project on the basis of competitive bids for tariffs, including Ultra Mega Power Projects.

6. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects.

PRELIMINARY

Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Mines and Minerals 2 [(Development and Regulation)] Act, 1957.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall come into force on such date 3 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

Section 2. Declaration as to the expediency of Union control

It is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that the Union should take under its control the regulation of mines and the development of minerals to the extent hereinafter provided.

Section 3. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

4 [( a ) leased area means the area specified in the mining lease within which mining operations can be undertaken and includes the non-mineralised area required and approved for the activities falling under the definition of mine as referred to in clause ( i );

( aa ) minerals includes all minerals except mineral oils;]

( b ) mineral oils includes natural gas and petroleum;

( c ) mining lease means a lease granted for the purpose of undertaking mining operations, and includes a sub-lease granted for such purpose;

( d ) mining operations means any operations undertaken for the purpose of winning any mineral;

( e ) minor minerals means building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes, and any other mineral which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a minor mineral;

5 [( ea ) notified minerals means any mineral specified in the Fourth Schedule;]

( f ) prescribed means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

( g ) prospecting licence means a licence granted for the purpose of undertaking prospecting operations;

6 [( ga ) prospecting licence-cum-mining lease means a two stage concession granted for the purpose of undertaking prospecting operations followed by mining operations;]

( h ) prospecting operations means any operations undertaken for the purpose of exploring, locating or proving mineral deposits; 7 [* * *]

8 [( h-a ) reconnaissance operations means any operations undertaken for preliminary prospecting of a mineral through regional, aerial, geophysical or geochemical surveys and geological mapping, but does not include pitting, trenching, drilling (except drilling of boreholes on a grid specified from time to time by the Central Government) or sub-surface excavation;

( h-b ) reconnaissance permit means a permit granted for the purpose of undertaking reconnaissance operations; 9 [* * *]]

10 [( hc ) Special Court means a Court of Session designated as Special Court under sub-section (1) of Section 30-B; and]

( i ) the expressions, mine and owner , have the meanings assigned to them in the Mines Act, 1952.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS ON UNDERTAKING PROSPECTING AND MINING OPERATIONS

Section 4. Prospecting or mining operations to be under licence or lease

11 [(1) No person shall undertake any reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations in any area, except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a reconnaissance permit or of a prospecting licence or, as the case may be, of a mining lease, granted under this Act and the rules made thereunder]:

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall affect any prospecting or mining operations undertaken in any area in accordance with the terms and conditions of a prospecting licence or mining lease granted before the commencement of this Act which is in force at such commencement:

12 [Provided further that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any prospecting operations undertaken by the Geological Survey of India, the Indian Bureau of Mines, 13 [the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research] of the Department of Atomic Energy of the Central Government, the Directorates of Mining and Geology of any State Government (by whatever name called), and the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, a Government company within the meaning of 14 [clause (45) of Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013), and any such entity that may be notified for this purpose by the Central Government]:]

15 [Provided also that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any mining lease (whether called mining lease, mining concession or by any other name) in force immediately before the commencement of this Act in the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.]

16 [(1-A) No person shall transport or store or cause to be transported or stored any mineral otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.]

(2) No 17 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease shall be granted otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.

18 [(3) Any State Government may, after prior consultation with the Central Government and in accordance with the rules made under Section 18, 19 [undertake reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations with respect to any mineral specified in the First Schedule in any area within that State which is not already held under any reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease].]

NOTIFICATION

(1)

Ministry of Mines, Noti. No. G.S.R. 40(E), dated January 18, 2018, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Part II, Section 3(i), dated 18th January, 2018, p. 2, No. 31

In pursuance of the second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby notifies the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited for the purposes of the second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the said Act:

Provided that the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited shall make over the data generated by it, in respect of the prospecting operations undertaken by it, to the concerned State Government.

2. This notification shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

(2)

Ministry of Mines, Noti. No. G.S.R. 389(E), dated April 23, 2018, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Part II, Section 3(i), dated 23rd April, 2018, p. 2, No. 261

In pursuance of the second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby notifies the Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited for the purposes of the second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the said Act:

Provided that the Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited shall make over the data generated by it, in respect of the prospecting operations undertaken by it, to the State Government.

2. This notification shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

20 [ 4-A. Termination of prospecting licences or mining leases . (1) Where the Central Government, after consultation with the State Government, is of opinion that it is expedient in the interest of regulation of mines and mineral development, preservation of natural environment, control of floods, prevention of pollution, or to avoid danger to public health or communications or to ensure safety of buildings, monuments or other structures or for conservation of mineral resources or for maintaining safety in the mines or for such other purposes, as the Central Government may deem fit, it may request the State Government to make a premature termination of a prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of any mineral other than a minor mineral in any area or part thereof, and, on receipt of such request, the State Government shall make an order making a premature termination of such prospecting licence or mining lease with respect to the area or any part thereof.

(2) Where the State Government 21 [* * *] is of opinion that it is expedient in the interest of regulation of mines and mineral development, preservation of natural environment, control of floods, prevention of pollution or to avoid danger to public health or communications or to ensure safety of buildings, monuments or other structures or for such other purposes, as the State Government may deem fit, it may, by an order, in respect of any minor mineral, make premature termination of prospecting licence or mining lease with respect to the area or any part thereof covered by such licence or lease.

22 [* * *]

(3) No order making a premature termination of a prospecting licence or mining lease shall be made except after giving the holder of the licence or lease a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(4) Where the holder of a mining lease fails to undertake mining operations for a period of 23 [two years] after the date of execution of the lease or having commenced mining operations, has discontinued the same for a period of 24 [two years], the lease shall lapse on the expiry of the period of 25 [two years] from the date of execution of the lease or, as the case may be, discontinuance of the mining operations:

26 [Provided that the State Government may, on an application made by the holder of such lease before it lapses and on being satisfied that it will not be possible for the holder of the lease to undertake mining operations or to continue such operations for reasons beyond his control, make an order, within a period of three months from the date of receiving of such application, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, to the effect that such lease shall not lapse:

Provided further that such lease shall lapse on failure to undertake mining operations or inability to continue the same before the end of a period of six months from the date of the order of the State Government:

Provided also that the State Government may, on an application made by the holder of a lease submitted within a period of six months from the date of its lapse and on being satisfied that such non-commencement or discontinuance was due to reasons beyond the control of the holder of the lease, revive the lease within a period of three months from the date of receiving the application from such prospective or retrospective date as it thinks fit but not earlier than the date of lapse of the lease:

Provided also that no lease shall be revived under the third proviso for more than twice during the entire period of the lease.]]

27 [ 4-B. Conditions for efficiency in production . Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 4-A, the Central Government may, in the interest of maintaining sustained production of minerals in the country, prescribe such conditions as may be necessary for commencement and continuation of production by the holders of mining leases who have acquired rights, approvals, clearances and the like under Section 8-B.]

Section 5. Restrictions on the grant of prospecting licences or mining leases

28 [ 29 [(1) A State Government shall not grant a 30 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease to any person unless such person

( a ) is an Indian national, or a company as defined in 31 [clause (20) of Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013)]; and

( b ) satisfies such conditions as may be prescribed:

32 [Provided that in respect of any mineral specified in Part A and Part B of the First Schedule, no reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease shall be granted except with the previous approval of the Central Government:]

33 [Provided further that the previous approval of the Central Government shall not be required for grant of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of the minerals specified in Part A of the First Schedule, where,

( i ) an allocation order has been issued by the Central Government under Section 11-A; or

( ii ) a notification of reservation of area has been issued by the Central Government or the State Government under sub-section (1-A) or sub-section (2) of Section 17-A; or

( iii ) a vesting order or an allotment order has been issued by the Central Government under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (11 of 2015).]

Explanation . For the purposes of this sub-section, a person shall be deemed to be an Indian national,

( a ) in the case of a firm or other association of individuals, only if all the members of the firm or members of the association are citizens of India; and

( b ) in the case of an individual, only if he is a citizen of India;]

(2) No mining lease shall be granted by the State Government unless it is satisfied that

34 [( a ) there is evidence to show the existence of mineral contents in the area for which the application for a mining lease has been made in accordance with such parameters as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Central Government;]

( b ) there is a mining plan duly approved by the Central Government, or by the State Government, in respect of such category of mines as may be specified by the Central Government, for the development of mineral deposits in the area concerned:]]

35 [Provided that a mining lease may be granted upon the filing of a mining plan in accordance with a system established by the State Government for preparation, certification, and monitoring of such plan, with the approval of the Central Government.]

Section 6. Maximum area for which a prospecting licence or mining lease may be granted

36 [(1) No person shall acquire 37 [* * *] in respect of any mineral or prescribed group of associated minerals 38 [in a State]

( a ) one or more prospecting licences covering a total area of more than twenty-five square kilometres; or

39 [( aa ) one or more reconnaissance permit covering a total area of ten thousand square kilometres:

Provided that the area granted under a single reconnaissance permit shall not exceed five thousand square kilometres; or]

( b ) one or more mining leases covering a total area of more than ten square kilometres:

40 [Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that in the interest of the development of any mineral or industry, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, increase the aforesaid area limits in respect of prospecting licence or mining lease, in so far as it pertains to any particular mineral, or to any specified category of deposits of such mineral, or to any particular mineral located in any particular area.]

41 [( c ) any reconnaissance permit, mining lease or prospecting licence in respect of any area which is not compact or contiguous:

Provided that if the State Government is of opinion that in the interests of the development of any mineral, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, permit any person to acquire a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in relation to any area which is not compact or contiguous;]]

(2) For the purposes of this section, a person acquiring by, or in the name of, another person a 42 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease which is intended for himself shall be deemed to be acquiring it himself.

43 [(3) For the purposes of determining the total area referred to in sub-section (1), the area held under a 44 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease by a person as a member of a co-operative society, company or other corporation or a Hindu undivided family or a partner of a firm, shall be deducted from the area referred to in sub-section (1) so that the sum total of the area held by such person, under a 45 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease, whether as such member or partner, or individually, may not, in any case, exceed the total area specified in sub-section (1).]

Section 7. Periods for which prospecting licences may be granted or renewed

46 [(1) The period for which a 47 [reconnaissance permit or] prospecting licence may be granted shall not exceed three years.

(2) A prospecting licence shall, if the State Government is satisfied that a longer period is required to enable the licensee to complete prospecting operations be renewed for such period or periods as that Government may specify:

Provided that the total period for which a prospecting licence is granted does not exceed five years:

Provided further that no prospecting licence granted in respect of a mineral included in 48 [Part-A and Part-B to] the First Schedule shall be renewed except with the previous approval of the Central Government.]

Section 8. Periods for which mining leases may be granted or renewed

49 [(1) The provisions of this section shall apply to minerals specified in Part A of the First Schedule.

(2) The maximum period for which a mining lease may be granted shall not exceed thirty years:

Provided that the minimum period for which any such mining lease may be granted shall not be less than twenty years.

(3) A mining lease may be renewed for a period not exceeding twenty years with the previous approval of the Central Government.]

50 [ 8-A. Period of grant of a mining lease for minerals other than coal, lignite and atomic minerals . (1) The provisions of this section shall apply to minerals other than those specified in Part A and Part B of the First Schedule.

(2) On and from the date of the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, all mining leases shall be granted for the period of fifty years.

(3) All mining leases granted before the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 shall be deemed to have been granted for a period of fifty years.

(4) On the expiry of the lease period, the lease shall be put up for auction as per the procedure specified in this Act:

51 [Provided that nothing contained in this section shall prevent the State Governments from taking an advance action for auction of the mining lease before the expiry of the lease period.]

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (2), (3) and sub-section (4), the period of lease granted before the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, where mineral is used for captive purpose, shall be extended and be deemed to have been extended up to a period ending on the 31st March, 2030 with effect from the date of expiry of the period of renewal last made or till the completion of renewal period, if any, or a period of fifty years from the date of grant of such lease, whichever is later, subject to the condition that all the terms and conditions of the lease have been complied with.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (2), (3) and sub-section (4), the period of lease granted before the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, where mineral is used for other than captive purpose, shall be extended and be deemed to have been extended up to a period ending on the 31st March, 2020 with effect from the date of expiry of the period of renewal last made or till the completion of renewal period, if any, or a period of fifty years from the date of grant of such lease, whichever is later, subject to the condition that all the terms and conditions of the lease have been complied with.

(7) Any holder of a lease granted, where mineral is used for captive purpose, shall have the right of first refusal at the time of auction held for such lease after the expiry of the lease period.

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the period of mining leases, including existing mining leases, of Government companies or corporations shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(9) The provisions of this section, notwithstanding anything contained therein, shall not apply to a mining lease granted before the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, for which renewal has been rejected, or which has been determined, or lapsed.]

52 [ 8-B. Provisions for transfer of statutory clearances . (1) The provisions of this section shall apply to minerals, other than the minerals specified in Part A and Part B of the First Schedule.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the successful bidder of mining leases expiring under the provisions of sub-sections (5) and (6) of Section 8-A and selected through auction as per the procedure provided under this Act and the rules made thereunder, shall be deemed to have acquired all valid rights, approvals, clearances, licences and the like vested with the previous lessee for a period of two years:

Provided that subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, such new lessee shall apply and obtain all necessary rights, approvals, clearances, licences and the like within a period of two years from the date of grant of new lease.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, it shall be lawful for the new lessee to continue mining operations on the land, in which mining operations were being carried out by the previous lessee, for a period of two years from the date of commencement of the new lease.]

Section 9. Royalties in respect of mining leases

(1) The holder of a mining lease granted before the commencement of this Act shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the instrument of lease or in any law in force at such commencement, pay royalty in respect of any 53 [mineral removed or consumed by him or by his agent, manager, employee, contractor or sub-lessee] from the leased area after such commencement, at the rate for the time being specified in the Second Schedule in respect of that mineral.

(2) The holder of a mining lease granted on or after the commencement of this Act shall pay royalty in respect of any 54 [mineral removed or consumed by him or by his agent, manager, employee, contractor or sub-lessee] from the leased area at the rate for the time being specified in the Second Schedule in respect of that mineral.

55 [(2-A) The holder of a mining lease, whether granted before or after the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1972, shall not be liable to pay any royalty in respect of any coal consumed by a workman engaged in a colliery provided that such consumption by the workman does not exceed one-third of a tonne per month.]

(3) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Second Schedule so as to enhance or reduce the rate at which royalty shall be payable in respect of any mineral with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification:

56 [Provided that the Central Government shall not enhance the rate of royalty in respect of any mineral more than once during any period of 57 [three years].]

58 [ 9-A. Dead rent to be paid by the lessee . (1) The holder of a mining lease, whether granted before or after the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1972, shall notwithstanding anything contained in the instrument of lease or in any other law for the time being in force, pay to the State Government, every year, dead rent at such rate as may be specified, for the time being, in the Third Schedule, for all the areas included in the instrument of lease:

Provided that where the holder of such mining lease becomes liable, under Section 9, to pay royalty for any mineral removed or consumed by him or by his agent, manager, employee, contractor or sub-lessee from the leased area, he shall be liable to pay either such royalty, or the dead rent in respect of that area, whichever is greater.

(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Third Schedule so as to enhance or reduce the rate at which the dead rent shall be payable in respect of any area covered by a mining lease and such enhancement or reduction shall take effect from such date as may be specified in the notification:

Provided that the Central Government shall not enhance the rate of the dead rent in respect of any such area more than once during any period of 59 [three years].]

60 [ 9-B. District Mineral Foundation . (1) In any district affected by mining related operations, the State Government shall, by notification, establish a trust, as a non-profit body, to be called the District Mineral Foundation.

(2) The object of the District Mineral Foundation shall be to work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas affected by mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.

(3) The composition and functions of the District Mineral Foundation shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.

(4) The State Government while making rules under sub-sections (2) and (3) shall be guided by the provisions contained in Article 244 read with Fifth and Sixth Schedules to the Constitution relating to administration of the Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas and the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (40 of 1996) and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007).

(5) The holder of a mining lease or a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease granted on or after the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, shall, in addition to the royalty, pay to the District Mineral Foundation of the district in which the mining operations are carried on, an amount which is equivalent to such percentage of the royalty paid in terms of the Second Schedule, not exceeding one-third of such royalty, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(6) The holder of a mining lease granted before the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, shall, in addition to the royalty, pay to the District Mineral Foundation of the district in which the mining operations are carried on, an amount not exceeding the royalty paid in terms of the Second Schedule in such manner and subject to the categorisation of the mining leases and the amounts payable by the various categories of lease holders, as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]

61 [ 9-C. National Mineral Exploration Trust . (1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish a Trust, as a non-profit body, to be called the National Mineral Exploration Trust.

(2) The object of the Trust shall be to use the funds accrued to the Trust for the purposes of regional and detailed exploration in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(3) The composition and functions of the Trust shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(4) The holder of a mining lease or a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease shall pay to the Trust, a sum equivalent to two per cent of the royalty paid in terms of the Second Schedule, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PROSPECTING LICENCES OR MINING LEASES IN RESPECT OF LAND IN WHICH THE MINERALS VEST IN THE GOVERNMENT

Section 10. Application for prospecting licences or mining leases

(1) An application for 62 [a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease] in respect of any land in which the minerals vest in the Government shall be made to the State Government concerned in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(2) Where an application is received under sub-section (1), there shall be sent to the applicant an acknowledgment of its receipt within the prescribed time and in the prescribed form.

(3) On receipt of an application under this section, the State Government may, having regard to the provisions of this Act and any rules made thereunder, grant or refuse to grant the 63 [permit,] licence or lease.

64 [ 10-A. Rights of existing concession holders and applicants . (1) All applications received prior to the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, shall become ineligible.

(2) Without prejudice to sub-section (1), the following shall remain eligible on and from the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015

( a ) applications received under Section 11-A of this Act;

( b ) where before the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015 a reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence has been granted in respect of any land for any mineral, the permit holder or the licensee shall have a right for obtaining a prospecting licence followed by a mining lease, or a mining lease, as the case may be, in respect of that mineral in that land, if the State Government is satisfied that the permit holder or the licensee, as the case may be,

( i ) has undertaken reconnaissance operations or prospecting operations, as the case may be, to establish the existence of mineral contents in such land in accordance with such parameters as may be prescribed by the Central Government;

( ii ) has not committed any breach of the terms and conditions of the reconnaissance permit or the prospecting licence;

( iii ) has not become ineligible under the provisions of this Act; and

( iv ) has not failed to apply for grant of prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, within a period of three months after the expiry of reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence, as the case may be, or within such further period not exceeding six months as may be extended by the State Government;

( c ) where the Central Government has communicated previous approval as required under sub-section (1) of Section 5 for grant of a mining lease, or if a letter of intent (by whatever name called) has been issued by the State Government to grant a mining lease, before the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, the mining lease shall be granted subject to fulfilment of the conditions of the previous approval or of the letter of intent within a period of two years from the date of commencement of the said Act:

Provided that in respect of any mineral specified in the First Schedule, no prospecting licence or mining lease shall be granted under clause ( b ) of this sub-section except with the previous approval of the Central Government.

65 [ 10-B. Grant of mining lease in respect of notified minerals through auction . (1) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to cases covered by Section 10-A or Section 17-A or to minerals specified in Part A or Part B of the First Schedule or to land in respect of which the minerals do not vest in the Government.

(2) Where there is inadequate evidence to show the existence of mineral contents of any notified mineral in respect of any area, a State Government may, after obtaining the previous approval of the Central Government, grant a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease for the said notified mineral in such area in accordance with the procedure laid down in Section 11.

(3) In areas where the existence of mineral contents of any notified mineral is established in the manner prescribed by the Central Government, the State Government shall notify such areas for grant of mining leases for such notified mineral, the terms and conditions subject to which such mining leases shall be granted, and any other relevant conditions, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(4) For the purpose of granting a mining lease in respect of any notified mineral in such notified area, the State Government shall select, through auction by a method of competitive bidding, including e-auction, an applicant who fulfils the eligibility conditions as specified in this Act.

(5) The Central Government shall prescribe the terms and conditions, and procedure, subject to which the auction shall be conducted, including the bidding parameters for the selection, which may include a share in the production of the mineral, or any payment linked to the royalty payable, or any other relevant parameter, or any combination or modification of them.

(6) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (5), the Central Government shall, if it is of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient to do so, prescribe terms and conditions, procedure and bidding parameters in respect of categories of minerals, size and area of mineral deposits and a State or States, subject to which the auction shall be conducted:

Provided that the terms and conditions may include the reservation of any particular mine or mines for a particular end-use and subject to such condition which allow only such eligible end users to participate in the auction.

(7) The State Government shall grant a mining lease to an applicant selected in accordance with the procedure laid down in this section in respect of such notified mineral in any notified area.]

66 [ 10-C. Grant of non-exclusive reconnaissance permits . (1) Non-exclusive reconnaissance permits may be granted in respect of any notified mineral or non-notified mineral or a group of specified minerals, other than minerals specified in Part A or Part B of the First Schedule, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(2) The holder of such non-exclusive reconnaissance permit shall not be entitled to make any claim for the grant of any prospecting licence-cum-mining lease or a mining lease:]

67 [Provided that the holder of non-exclusive reconnaissance permit who carries out the prescribed level of exploration in respect of deep seated minerals or such minerals as may be notified by the Central Government, may submit an application to the State Government for the grant of any prospecting licence-cum-mining lease as per the procedure laid down under Section 11 or a mining lease as per the procedure laid down under Section 10-B and with a view to increase the reconnaissance and prospecting operations of such minerals, the Central Government shall prescribe such procedure, including the bidding parameters for selection of such holders.

Explanation . For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression deep seated minerals means such minerals which occur at a depth of more than three hundred meters from the surface of land with poor surface manifestations.]

Section 11. Grant of prospecting licence-cum-mining lease through auction in respect of minerals other than notified minerals

68 [(1) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to cases covered by Section 10-A or Section 17-A or to minerals specified in Part A or Part B of the First Schedule or to land in respect of which minerals do not vest in the Government.

(2) In areas where there is evidence to show the existence of mineral contents as required by clause ( a ) of sub-section (2) of Section 5, the State Government shall grant a mining lease for minerals other than notified minerals following the procedure laid down in Section 10-B.

(3) In areas where there is inadequate evidence to show the existence of mineral contents as required under clause ( a ) of sub-section (2) of Section 5, the State Government shall grant a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease for minerals other than notified minerals in accordance with the procedure laid down in this section.

(4) The State Government shall notify the areas in which prospecting licence-cum-mining leases shall be granted for any minerals other than notified minerals, the terms and conditions subject to which such prospecting licence-cum-mining leases shall be granted, and any other relevant conditions, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(5) For the purpose of granting prospecting licence-cum-mining leases, the State Government shall select, through auction by method of competitive bidding, including e-auction, an applicant who fulfils the eligibility conditions as specified in this Act.

(6) The Central Government shall prescribe the terms and conditions, and procedure, subject to which the auction shall be conducted, including the bidding parameters for the selection, which may include a share in the production of the mineral, or any payment linked to the royalty payable, or any other relevant parameter, or any combination or modification of them.

(7) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (6), the Central Government shall, if it is of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient to do so, prescribe terms and conditions, procedure and bidding parameters in respect of categories of minerals, size and area of mineral deposits and a State or States, subject to which the auction shall be conducted.

(8) The State Government shall grant a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease to an applicant selected in accordance with the procedure laid down in this section.

(9) The holder of a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease shall be required to complete, within the period laid down in Section 7, the prospecting operations satisfactorily as specified in the notice inviting applications.

(10) A holder of a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, who completes the prospecting operation as laid down in sub-section (9) and establishes the existence of mineral contents in the area in conformity with such parameters as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Central Government, shall be required to apply for a mining lease for such area and shall have the right to get the mining lease and thereafter undertake mining operations in accordance with the provisions of this Act.]

69 [ 11-A. Granting of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease . (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government may, for the purpose of granting reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease 71 [or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease in respect of coal or lignite], select any of the following companies through auction by competitive bidding, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, namely

( a ) a Government company or corporation or a joint venture company formed by such company or corporation or between the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, or any other company incorporated in India; or

( b ) a company or a joint venture company formed by two or more companies,

72 [to carry on coal or lignite reconnaissance or prospecting or mining operations, for own consumption, sale or for any other purpose as may be determined by the Central Government].

73 [Provided that the auction by competitive bidding under this section shall not be applicable to coal or lignite

( a ) where such area is considered for allotment to a Government company or corporation or a joint venture company formed by such company or corporation or between the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, for own consumption, sale or for any other purpose as may be determined by the Central Government;

( b ) where such area is considered for allotment to a company or corporation that has been awarded a power project on the basis of competitive bid for tariff (including Ultra Mega Power Projects).]

(2) The Central Government may, with a view to rationalise coal and lignite mines referred to in sub-section (1), so as to ensure the coordinated and scientific development and utilisation of resources consistent with the growing requirements of the country, from time to time, prescribe

( i ) the details of mines and their location;

( ii ) the minimum size of such mines;

( iii ) such other conditions,

which in the opinion of that Government may be necessary for the purpose of mining operations or mining for sale by a company.

(3) The State Government shall grant such reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease 74 [or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease] in respect of any area containing coal or lignite to such company as selected through auction by 75 [competitive bidding or through allotment] under this section:

Provided that the auction by competitive bidding under this section shall not be applicable to an area containing coal or lignite

( a ) where such area is considered for allocation to a Government company or corporation or a joint venture company formed by such company or corporation or between the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be;

( b ) where such area is considered for allocation to a company or corporation or that has been awarded a power project on the basis of competitive bids for tariff (including Ultra Mega Power Projects).

Explanation . For the purposes of this section, company means a company as defined in clause (20) of Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013).]

NOTIFICATION

Noti. No. S.O. 491(E), dated 19-2-2014 . In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (iv) of Section 11-A of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby specifies production of cement, syn-gas obtained through coal gasification (underground and surface) and coal liquefaction to be end uses for the purpose of the said Act.

76 [ 11-B. Power of Central Government to make rules for regulating atomic minerals specified under Part B of First Schedule . The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for regulating the grant of mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minerals specified in Part B of the First Schedule and for purposes connected therewith, and the State Government shall grant a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of any such mineral in accordance with such rules.]

77 [ 11-C. Power of Central Government to amend First Schedule and Fourth Schedule . The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the First Schedule and the Fourth Schedule so as to add or delete any mineral as may be specified in the notification.]

Section 12. Registers of prospecting licences and mining leases

(1) The State Government shall cause to be maintained in the prescribed form

( a ) a register of applications for prospecting licences;

( b ) a register of prospecting licences;

78 [( c ) a register of applications for mining leases;

( d ) a register of mining leases;

( e ) a register of applications for reconnaissance permits; and

( f ) a register of reconnaissance permits;]

in each of which shall be entered such particulars as may be prescribed.

(2) Every such register shall be open to inspection by any person on payment of such fee as the State Government may fix.

79 [ 12-A. Transfer of mineral concessions . (1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to minerals specified in Part A or Part B of the First Schedule.

(2) A holder of a mining lease or a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease granted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Section 10-B or Section 11 may, with the previous approval of the State Government, transfer his mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, as the case may be, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government, to any person eligible to hold such mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.

(3) If the State Government does not convey its previous approval for transfer of such mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, as the case may be, within a period of ninety days from the date of receiving such notice, it shall be construed that the State Government has no objection to such transfer:

Provided that the holder of the original mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease shall intimate to the State Government the consideration payable by the successor-in-interest for the transfer, including the consideration in respect of the prospecting operations already undertaken and the reports and data generated during the operations.

(4) No such transfer of a mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, referred to in sub-section (2), shall take place if the State Government, within the notice period and for reasons to be communicated in writing, disapproves the transfer on the ground that the transferee is not eligible as per the provisions of this Act:

Provided that no such transfer of a mining lease or of a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, shall be made in contravention of any condition subject to which the mining lease or the prospecting licence-cum-mining lease was granted.

(5) All transfers effected under this section shall be subject to the condition that the transferee has accepted all the conditions and liabilities under any law for the time being in force which the transferor was subject to in respect of such a mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, as the case may be.

(6) The transfer of mineral concessions shall be allowed only for concessions which are granted through auction:]

80 [Provided that where a mining lease has been granted otherwise than through auction and where mineral from such mining lease is being used for captive purpose, such mining lease may be permitted to be transferred subject to compliance of such terms and conditions and payment of such amount or transfer charges as may be prescribed.

Explanation . For the purposes of this proviso, the expression used for captive purpose shall mean the use of the entire quantity of mineral extracted from the mining lease in a manufacturing unit owned by the lessee.]

RULES FOR REGULATING THE GRANT OF PROSPECTING LICENCES AND MINING LEASES

Section 13. Power of Central Government to make rules in respect of minerals

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for regulating the grant of 81 [reconnaissance permits,] prospecting licences and mining leases in respect of minerals and for purposes connected therewith.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:

( a ) the person by whom, and the manner in which, applications for 82 [reconnaissance permits,] prospecting licences or mining leases in respect of land in which the minerals vest in the Government may be made and the fees to be paid therefor;

83 [( aa ) the conditions as may be necessary for commencement and continuation of production by the holders of mining leases, under Section 4-B;

( ab ) the conditions to be fulfilled by the new lessee for obtaining all necessary rights, approvals, clearances, licences and the like under the proviso to sub-section (2) of Section 8-B;

( ac ) the level of exploration in respect of deep seated minerals or such minerals and the procedure, including the bidding parameters for selection of the holders under the proviso to sub-section (2) of Section 10-C;]

( b ) the time within which, and the form in which, acknowledgment of the receipt of any such application may be sent;

( c ) the matters which may be considered where applications in respect of the same land are received on the same day;

84 [( d ) the terms, conditions and process of auction by competitive bidding and allotment in respect of coal or lignite;]

85 [( da ) the regulation of grant of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence, mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease in respect of coal or lignite;

( db ) the details of mines and their location, the minimum size of such mines and such other conditions which may be necessary for the purpose of coal or lignite reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations;

( dc ) utilisation of coal or lignite including mining for sale by a company;]

( e ) the authority by which 86 [reconnaissance permits,] prospecting licences or mining leases in respect of land in which the minerals vest in the Government may be granted;

( f ) the procedure for obtaining a 87 [reconnaissance permit, a] prospecting licence or a mining lease in respect of any land in which the minerals vest in a person other than the Government and the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, such a 88 [permit,] licence or lease may be granted or renewed;

( g ) the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which, any other 89 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease may be granted or renewed;

( h ) the facilities to be afforded by holders of mining leases to persons deputed by the Government for the purpose of undertaking research or training in matters relating to mining operations;

90 [( i ) the fixing and collection of fees for 91 [reconnaissance permits,] prospecting licences or mining leases, surface rent, security deposit, fines, other fees or charges and the time within which and the manner in which the dead rent or royalty shall be payable;]

( j ) the manner in which rights of third parties may be protected (whether by payment of compensation or otherwise) in cases where any such party may be prejudicially affected by reason of any 92 [reconnaissance,] prospecting or mining operations;

93 [( jj ) parameters of existence of mineral contents under clause ( a ) of sub-section (2) of Section 5;]

( k ) the grouping of associated minerals for the purposes of Section 6;

( l ) the manner in which, and the conditions subject to which, 94 [reconnaissance permit,] a prospecting licence or a mining lease may be transferred;

( m ) the construction, maintenance and use of roads, power transmission lines, tramways, railways, aerial ropeways, pipelines and the making of passages for water for mining purposes on any land comprised in a mining lease;

( n ) the form of registers to be maintained under this Act;

( o ) 95 [* * *]

( p ) the reports and statements to be submitted by holders of 96 [reconnaissance permits or] prospecting licences or owners of mines and the authority to which such reports and statements shall be submitted;

( q ) the period within which applications for revision of any order passed by a State Government or other authority in exercise of any power conferred by or under this Act, may be made 97 [the fees to be paid therefor and the documents which shall accompany such applications] and the manner in which such applications shall be disposed of;

98 [( qq ) the manner in which rehabilitation of flora and other vegetation, such as trees, shrubs and the like destroyed by reason of any prospecting or mining operations shall be made in the same area or in any other area selected by the Central Government (whether by way of reimbursement of the cost of rehabilitation or otherwise) by the person holding the prospecting licence or mining lease;] 99 [* * *]

100 [( qqa ) the amount of payment to be made to the District Mineral Foundation under sub-sections (5) and (6) of Section 9-B;

( qqb ) the manner of usage of funds accrued to the National Mineral Exploration Trust under sub-section (2) of Section 9-C;

( qqc ) the composition and functions of the National Mineral Exploration Trust under sub-section (3) of Section 9-C;

( qqd ) the manner of payment of amount to the National Mineral Exploration Trust under sub-section (4) of Section 9-C;

( qqe ) the terms and conditions subject to which mining leases shall be granted under sub-section (3) of Section 10-B;

( qqf ) the terms and conditions, and procedure, subject to which the auction shall be conducted including the bidding parameters for the selection under sub-section (5) of Section 10-B;

( qqg ) the time limits for various stages in processing applications for grant of mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease under Sections 10-B, 11, 11-A, 11-B, and Section 17-A, and their renewals;

( qqh ) the terms and conditions for grant of non-exclusive reconnaissance permits under sub-section (1) of Section 10-C;

( qqi ) the terms and conditions for grant of prospecting licence-cum-mining leases under sub-section (4) of Section 11;

( qqj ) the terms and conditions, and procedure, including the bidding parameters for the selection under sub-section (6) of Section 11;

101 [( qqja ) the terms and conditions and amount or transfer charges under the proviso to sub-section (6) of Section 12-A;]

( qqk ) the amount to be payable by a Government company or corporation, or a joint venture for grant of mining lease under sub-section (2-C) of Section 17-A; and]

( r ) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed under this Act.

102 [ 13-A. Power of Central Government to make rules for the grant of prospecting licences or mining leases in respect of territorial waters or continental shelf of India . (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for the grant of prospecting licences or mining leases in respect of any minerals underlying the ocean within the territorial waters or the continental shelf of India.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:

( a ) the conditions, limitations and restrictions subject to which such prospecting licences or mining leases may be granted;

( b ) regulation of exploration and exploitation of minerals within the territorial waters or the continental shelf of India;

( c ) ensuring that such exploration or exploitation does not interfere with navigation; and

( d ) any other matter winch is required to be, or may be, prescribed.]

Section 14. Sections 5 to 13] not to apply to minor minerals

103 [The provisions of 104 [Sections 5 to 13] (inclusive) shall not apply to 105 [quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions] in respect of minor minerals.

Section 15. Power of State Governments to make rules in respect of minor minerals

(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for regulating the grant of 106 [quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions] in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.

107 [(1-A) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:

( a ) the person by whom and the manner in which, applications for quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions may be made and the fees to be paid therefor;

( b ) the time within which, and the form in which, acknowledgement of the receipt of any such applications may be sent;

( c ) the matters which may be considered where applications in respect of the same land are received within the same day;

( d ) the terms on which, and the conditions subject to which and the authority by which quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions may be granted or renewed;

( e ) the procedure for obtaining quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions;

( f ) the facilities to be afforded by holders of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions to persons deputed by the Government for the purpose of undertaking research or training in matters relating to mining operations;

( g ) the fixing and collection of rent, royalty, fees, dead rent, fines or other charges and the time within which and the manner in which these shall be payable;

( h ) the manner in which rights of third parties may be protected (whether by way of payment of compensation or otherwise) in cases where any such party is prejudicially affected by reason of any prospecting or mining operations;

( i ) the manner in which rehabilitation of flora and other vegetation, such as trees, shrubs and the like destroyed by reason of any quarrying or mining operations shall be made in the same area or in any other area selected by the Stale Government (whether by way of reimbursement of the cost of rehabilitation or otherwise) by the person holding the quarrying or mining lease;

( j ) the manner in which and the conditions subject to which, a quarry lease, mining lease or other mineral concession may be transferred;

( k ) the construction, maintenance and use of roads, power transmission lines, tramways, railways, aerial ropeways, pipelines and the making of passage for water for mining purposes on any land comprised in a quarry or mining lease or other mineral concession;

( l ) the form of registers to be maintained under this Act;

( m ) the reports and statements to be submitted by holders of quarry or mining leases or other mineral concessions and the authority to which such reports and statements shall be submitted;

( n ) the period within which and the manner in which and the authority to which applications for revision of any order passed by any authority under these rules may be made, the fees to be paid therefor, and the powers of the revisional authority; and

( o ) any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed.]

(2) Until rules are made under sub-section (1), any rules made by a State Government regulating the grant of 108 [quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions] in respect of minor minerals which are in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force.

109 [(3) The holder of a mining lease or any other mineral concession granted under any rule made under sub-section (1) shall pay royalty 110 [or dead rent, whichever is more] in respect of minor minerals removed or consumed by him or by his agent, manager, employee, contractor or sub-lessee at the rate prescribed for the time being in the rules framed by the State Government in respect of minor minerals:

Provided that the State Government shall not enhance the rate of royalty 111 [or dead rent, whichever is more] in respect of any minor mineral for more than once during any period of 112 [three years].]

113 [(4) Without prejudice to sub-sections (1), (2) and sub-section (3), the State Government may, by notification, make rules for regulating the provisions of this Act for the following, namely

( a ) the manner in which the District Mineral Foundation shall work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining under sub-section (2) of Section 9-B;

( b ) the composition and functions of the District Mineral Foundation under sub-section (3) of Section 9-B; and

( c ) the amount of payment to be made to the District Mineral Foundation by concession holders of minor minerals under Section 15-A.]

114 [ 15-A. Power of State Government to collect funds for District Mineral Foundation in case of minor minerals . The State Government may prescribe the payment by all holders of concessions related to minor minerals of amounts to the District Mineral Foundation of the district in which the mining operations are carried on.]

Section 16. Power to modify mining leases granted before 25th October, 1949

115 [(1)( a ) All mining leases granted before the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1972 116 [if in force at the date of commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1994 shall be brought in conformity with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder within two years from the date of the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1994], or such further time as the Central Government may, by general or special order, specify in this behalf.

( b ) Where the rights under any mining lease, granted by the proprietor of an estate or tenure before the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1972, have vested, on or after the 25th day of October, 1949, in the State Government in pursuance of the provisions of any Act of any Provincial or State Legislature which provides for the acquisition of estates or tenures or provides for agrarian reform, such mining lease shall be brought into conformity with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder within 117 [two years from the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1994], or within such further time as the Central Government may, by general or special order, specify in this behalf.]

118 [(1-A) Where any action is taken under clause ( a ) or clause ( b ) of sub-section (1) to bring the period of any lease in conformity with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, then notwithstanding anything contained in Section 8, the period of such lease shall continue to operate for a period of two years from the date of bringing such lease in conformity with the provisions of this Act.]

(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of sub-section (1) and in particular such rules shall provide

( a ) for giving previous notice of the modification or alteration proposed to be made in any existing mining lease to the lessee and where the lessor is not the Central Government, also to the lessor and for affording him an opportunity of showing cause against the proposal;

( b ) for the payment of compensation to the lessee in respect of the reduction of any area covered by the existing mining lease; and

( c ) for the principles on which the manner in which, and the authority by which, the said compensation shall be determined.

SPECIAL POWERS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE PROSPECTING OR MINING OPERATIONS IN CERTAIN CASES

Section 17. Special powers of Central Government to undertake prospecting or mining operations in certain lands

(1) The provisions of this section shall apply 119 [* * *] in respect of land in which the minerals vest in the Government of a State 120 [or any other person].

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government, after consultation with the State Government, may undertake 121 [reconnaissance,] prospecting or mining operations in any area not already held under any 122 [reconnaissance permit] prospecting licence or mining lease, and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette

( a ) specify the boundaries of such area;

( b ) state whether 123 [reconnaissance,] prospecting or mining operations will be carried out in the area; and

( c ) specify the mineral or minerals in respect of which such operations will be carried out.

(3) Where, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2), the Central Government undertakes 124 [reconnaissance,] prospecting or mining operations in any area, the Central Government shall be liable to pay 125 [reconnaissance permit fee or] prospecting fee, royalty, surface rent or dead rent, as the case may be, at the same rate at which it would have been payable under this Act, if such 126 [reconnaissance,] prospecting or mining operations had been undertaken by a private person under a 127 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease.

(4) The Central Government, with a view to enabling it to exercise the powers conferred on it by sub-section (2) may, after consultation with the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that no 128 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease shall be granted in respect of any land specified in the notification.

129 [ 17-A. Reservation of area for purposes of conservation . (1) The Central Government, with a view to conserving any mineral and after consultation with the State Government, may reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence or mining lease and, where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the boundaries of such area and the mineral or minerals in respect of which such area will be reserved.

130 [(1-A) The Central Government may in consultation with the State Government, reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence or mining lease, for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a Government company or corporation owned or controlled by it, and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the boundaries of such area and the mineral or minerals in respect of which such area will be reserved.]

(2) The State Government may, with the approval of the Central Government, reserve any area not already held under any prospecting licence or mining lease, for undertaking prospecting or mining operations through a Government company or corporation owned or controlled by it 131 [* * *] and where it proposes to do so, it shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the boundaries of such area and the mineral or minerals in respect of which such areas will be reserved.

132 [(2-A) Where in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1-A) or sub-section (2), the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, reserves any area for undertaking prospecting or mining operations, the State Government shall grant prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, in respect of such area to such Government company or corporation:

Provided that in respect of any mineral specified in 133 [* * *] Part B of the First Schedule, the State Government shall grant the prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, only after obtaining the previous approval of the Central Government.

(2-B) Where the Government company or corporation is desirous of carrying out the prospecting operations or mining operations in a joint venture with other persons, the joint venture partner shall be selected through a competitive process, and such Government company or corporation shall hold more than seventy-four per cent of the paid-up share capital in such joint venture.

(2-C) A mining lease granted to a Government company or corporation, or a joint venture, referred to in sub-sections (2-A) and (2-B), shall be granted on payment of such amount as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]

(3) 134 [Where in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1-A) or sub-section (2) the Central Government or the State Government as the case may be] undertakes prospecting or mining operations in any area in which the minerals vest in a private person, it shall be liable, to pay prospecting fee, royalty, surface rent or dead rent, as the case may be, from time to time at the same rate at which it would have been payable under this Act if such prospecting or mining operations had been undertaken by a private person under prospecting licence or mining lease.]

DEVELOPMENT OF MINERALS

Section 18. Mineral development

(1) It shall be the duty of the Central Government to take all such steps as may be necessary 135 [for the conservation and systematic development of minerals in India and for the protection of environment by preventing or controlling any pollution which may be caused by prospecting or mining operations] and 136 [for such purposes] the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make such rules as it thinks fit.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:

( a ) the opening of new mines and the regulation of mining operations in any area;

( b ) the regulation of the excavation or collection of minerals from any mine;

( c ) the measures to be taken by owners of mines for the purpose of beneficiation of ores, including the provision of suitable contrivances for such purpose;

( d ) the development of mineral resources in any area;

( e ) the notification of all new borings and shaft sinkings and the preservation of bore-hole records, and specimens of cores of all new bore-holes;

( f ) the regulation of the arrangements for the storage of minerals and the stocks thereof that may be kept by any person;

( g ) the submission of samples of minerals from any mine by the owner thereof and the manner in which and the authority to which such samples shall be submitted; and the taking of samples of any minerals from any mine by the State Government or any other authority specified by it in that behalf;

( h ) the submission by owners of mines of such special or periodical returns and reports as may be specified, and the form in which and the authority to which such returns and reports shall be submitted;

137 [( i ) the regulation of prospecting operations;

( j ) the employment of qualified geologists or mining engineers to supervise prospecting or mining operations;

( k ) the disposal or discharge of waste slime or tailings arising from any mining or metallurgical operations carried out in a mine;

( l ) the manner in which and the authority by which directions may be issued to the owners of any mine to do or refrain from doing certain things in the interest of conservation or systematic development of minerals or for the protection of environment by preventing or controlling pollution which may be caused by prospecting or mining operations;

( m ) the maintenance and submission of such plans, registers or records as may be specified by the Government;

( n ) the submission of records or reports by persons carrying on prospecting or mining operations regarding any research in mining or geology carried out by them;

( o ) the facilities to be afforded by persons carrying out prospecting or mining operations to persons authorised by the Central Government for the purpose of undertaking research or training in matters relating to mining or geology;

( p ) the procedure for and the manner of imposition of fines for the contravention of any of the rules framed under this section and the authority who may impose such fines; and

( q ) the authority to which, the period within which, the form and the manner in which applications for revision of any order passed by any authority under this Act and the rules made thereunder may be made, the fee to be paid and the documents which should accompany such applications.]

(3) All rules made under this section shall be binding on the Government.

138 [ 18-A. Power to authorise Geological Survey of India, etc. to make investigation . (1) Where the Central Government is of opinion that for the conservation and development of minerals in India, it is necessary to collect as precise information as possible with regard to any mineral available in or under any land in relation to which any prospecting licence or mining lease has been granted, whether by the State Government or by any other person, the Central Government may authorise the Geological Survey of India, or such other authority or agency as it may specify in this behalf, to carry out such detailed investigations for the purpose of obtaining such information as may be necessary:

Provided that in the cases of prospecting licences or mining leases granted by a State Government, no such authorisation shall be made except after consultation with the State Government.

(2) On the issue of any authorisation under sub-section (1), if shall be lawful for the Geological Survey of India or the specified authority or agency, and its servants and workman

( a ) to enter upon such land,

( b ) to dig or bore into the sub-soil,

( c ) to do all other acts necessary to determine the extent of any mineral available in or under such land,

( d ) to set out boundaries of the land in which any mineral is expected to be found,

( e ) to mark such boundaries and line by placing marks,

( f ) where otherwise the survey cannot be completed on the boundaries and line marked, to cut down and clear away any part of any standing crop, fence or jungle:

Provided that no such authority or agency shall enter into any building or upon any enclosed court or garden attached to a dwelling-house (except with the consent of the occupier thereof) without previously giving such occupier at least seven days' notice in writing of its intention to do so.

(3) Whenever any action of the nature specified in sub-section (2) is to be taken, the Central Government shall, before or at the time when such action is taken, pay or tender payment for all necessary damage which is likely to be caused, and in case of dispute as to the sufficiency of the amount so paid or tendered or as to the person to whom it should be paid or tendered, the Central Government shall refer the dispute to the principal civil court of original jurisdiction having jurisdiction over the land in question.

(4) The fact that there exists any such dispute as is referred to in sub-section (3) shall not be a bar to the taking of any action under sub-section (2).

(5) After the completion of the investigation, the Geological Survey of India or the specified authority or agency by which the investigation was made shall submit to the Central Government a detailed report indicating therein the extent and nature of any mineral which lies deposited in or under the land.

(6) The costs of the investigation made under this section shall be borne by the Central Government:

Provided that where the State Government or other person in whom the minerals are vested or the holder of any prospecting licence or mining lease applies to the Central Government to furnish to it or him a copy of the report submitted under sub-section (5), that State Government or other person or the holder of a prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, shall bear such reasonable part of the costs of investigation as the Central Government may specify in this behalf and shall, on payment of such part of the costs of investigation, be entitled to receive from the Central Government a true copy of the report submitted to it under sub-section (5).]

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 19. Prospecting licences and mining leases to be void if in contravention of Act

Any 139 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease granted, renewed or acquired in contravention of the provisions of this Act or any rules or orders made thereunder shall be void and of no effect.

Explanation . Where a person has acquired more than one 140 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease 141 [* * *] and the aggregate area covered by such 142 [permits,] licences or leases, as the case may be, exceeds the maximum area permissible under Section 6, only that 143 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease the acquisition of which has resulted in such maximum area being exceeded shall be deemed to be void.

Section 20. Act and rules to apply to all renewals of prospecting licences and mining leases

The provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder shall apply in relation to the renewal after the commencement of this Act of any prospecting licence or mining lease granted before such commencement as they apply in relation to the renewal of a prospecting licence or mining lease granted after such commencement.

144 [ 20-A. Power of Central Government to issue directions . (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government may issue such directions to the State Governments, as may be required for the conservation of mineral resources, or on any policy matter in the national interest, and for the scientific and sustainable development and exploitation of mineral resources.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, the Central Government may also issue directions in respect of the following matters, namely

( i ) improvement in procedure for grant of mineral concessions and to ensure co-ordination among agencies entrusted with according statutory clearances;

( ii ) maintenance of internet-based databases including development and operation of a mining tenement system;

( iii ) implementation and evaluation of sustainable development frameworks;

( iv ) reduction in waste generation and related waste management practices and promotion of recycling of materials;

( v ) minimising and mitigating adverse environmental impacts particularly in respect of ground water, air, ambient noise and land;

( vi ) ensuring minimal ecological disturbance, in terms of bio-diversity, flora, fauna and habitat;

( vii ) promoting restoration and reclamation activities so as to make optimal use of mined out land for the benefit of the local communities; and

( viii ) such other matters as may be necessary for the purposes of implementation of this Act.]

Section 21. Penalties

145 [(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (1-A) of Section 4 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees per hectare of the area.

(2) Any rule made under any provision of this Act may provide that any contravention thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees, or with both, and in the case of a continuing contravention, with additional fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first such contravention.]

146 [(3) Where any person trespasses into any land in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 4, such trespasser may be served with an order of eviction by the State Government or any authority authorised in this behalf by that Government and the State Government or such authorised authority may, if necessary, obtain the help of the police to evict the trespasser from the land.

147 [(4) Whenever any person raises, transports or causes to be raised or transported, without any lawful authority, any mineral from any land, and, for that purpose, uses any tool, equipment, vehicle or any other thing, such mineral, tool, equipment, vehicle or any other thing shall be liable to be seized by an officer or authority specially empowered in this behalf.

(4-A) Any mineral, tool, equipment, vehicle or any other thing seized under sub-section (4), shall be liable to be confiscated by an order of the court competent to take cognizance of the offence under sub-section (1) and shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of such court.]

(5) Whenever any person raises, without any lawful authority, any mineral from any land, the State Government may recover from such person the mineral so raised, or, where such mineral has already been disposed of, the price thereof, and may also recover from such person, rent, royalty or tax, as the case may be, for the period during which the land was occupied by such person without any lawful authority.]

148 [(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.]

Section 22. Cognizance of offences

No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act or any rules made thereunder except upon complaint in writing made by a person authorised in this behalf by the Central Government or the State Government.

Section 23. Offences by companies

(1) If the person committing an offence under this Act or any rules made thereunder is a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed with the consent or connivance of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Explanation . For the purposes of this section,

( a ) company means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals;

( b ) director in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.

149 [ 23-A. Compounding of offences . (1) Any offence punishable under this Act or any rule made thereunder may, either before or after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by the person authorised under Section 22 to make a complaint to the court with respect to that offence, on payment to that person, for credit to the Government, of such sum as that person may specify:

Provided that in the case of an offence punishable with fine only, no such sum shall exceed the maximum amount of fine which may be imposed for that offence.

(2) Where an offence is compounded under sub-section (1), no proceeding or further proceeding, as the case may be, shall be taken against the offender in respect of the offence so compounded, and the offender, if in custody, shall be released forthwith.]

150 [ 23-B. Power to search . If any gazetted officer of the Central or a State Government authorised by the Central Government 151 [or a State Government, as the case may be,] in this behalf by general or special order has reason to believe that any mineral has been raised in contravention of the provisions of this Act or rules made thereunder or any document or thing in relation to such mineral is secreted in any place 152 [or vehicle], he may search for such mineral, document or thing and the provisions of Section 100 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall apply to every such search.]

153 [ 23-C. Power of State Government to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals . (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:

( a ) establishment of check-posts for checking of minerals under transit;

( b ) establishment of weighbridges to measure the quantity of mineral being transported;

( c ) regulation of mineral being transported from the area granted under a prospecting licence or a mining lease or a quarrying licence or a permit, in whatever name the permission to excavate minerals, has been given;

( d ) inspection, checking and search of minerals at the place of excavation or storage or during transit;

( e ) maintenance of registers and forms for the purposes of these rules;

( f ) the period within which and the authority to which applications for revision of any order passed by any authority be preferred under any rule made under this section and the fees to be paid therefor and powers of such authority for disposing of such applications; and

( g ) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed for the purpose of prevention of illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 30, the Central Government shall have no power to revise any order passed by a State Government or any of its authorised officers or any authority under the rules made under sub-sections (1) and (2).]

Section 24. Power of entry and inspection

(1) For the purpose of ascertaining the position of the working, actual or prospective, of any mine or abandoned mine or for any other purpose connected with this Act or the rules made thereunder, any person authorised by the Central Government 154 [or a State Government] in this behalf, by general 155 [* * *] order, may

( a ) enter and inspect any mine;

( b ) survey and take measurements in any such mine;

( c ) weigh, measure or take measurements of the stocks of minerals lying at any mine;

( d ) examine any document, book, register, or record in the possession or power of any person having the control of, or connected with, any mine and place marks of identification thereon, and take extracts from or make copies of such document, book, register or record;

( e ) order the production of any such document, book, register, record, as is referred to in clause ( d ); and

( f ) examine any person having the control of, or connected with, any mine.

(2) Every person authorised by the Central Government 156 [or a State Government] under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, and every person to whom an order or summons is issued by virtue of the powers conferred by clause ( e ) or clause ( f ) of that sub-section shall be legally bound to comply with such order or summons, as the case may be.

157 [ 24-A. Rights and liabilities of a holder of prospecting licence or mining lease . (1) On the issue of a 158 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease under this Act and the rules made thereunder, it shall be lawful for the holder of such 159 [permit,] licence or lease, his agents or his servants or workmen to enter the lands over which such 160 [permit,] lease or licence had been granted at all times during its currency and carry out all such 161 [reconnaissance,] prospecting or mining operations as may be prescribed:

Provided that no person shall enter into any building or upon an enclosed court or garden attached to a dwelling-house (except with the consent of the occupier thereof) without previously giving such occupier at least seven days' notice in writing of his intention to do so.

(2) The holder of a 162 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease referred to in sub-section (1) shall be liable to pay compensation in such manner as may be prescribed to the occupier of the surface of the land granted under such 163 [permit,] licence or lease for any loss or damage which is likely to arise or has arisen from or in consequence of the 164 [reconnaissance,] mining or prospecting operations.

(3) The amount of compensation payable under sub-section (2) shall be determined by the State Government in the manner prescribed.]

Section 25. Recovery of certain sums as arrears of land revenue

165 [(1)] Any rent, royalty, tax, fee or other sum due to the Government under this Act or the rules made thereunder or under the terms and conditions of any 166 [reconnaissance permit,] any prospecting licence or mining lease may, on a certificate of such officer as may be specified by the State Government in this behalf by general or special order, be recovered in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue.

167 [(2) Any rent, royalty, tax, fee or other sum due to the Government either under this Act or any rule made thereunder or under the terms and conditions of any 168 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease may, on a certificate of such officer as may be specified by the State Government in this behalf by general or special order, be recovered in the same manner as if it were an arrear of land revenue and every such sum which becomes due to the Government after the commencement of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 1972, together with the interest due thereon shall be a first charge on the assets of the holder of the reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be.]

Section 26. Delegation of powers

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act may, in relation to such matters and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the notification be exercisable also by

( a ) such officer or authority subordinate to the Central Government; or

( b ) such State Government or such officer or authority subordinate to a State Government, as may be specified in the notification.

(2) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act may, in relation to such matters and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the notification, be exercisable also by such officer or authority subordinate to the State Government as may be specified in the notification.

(3) Any rules made by the Central Government under this Act may confer powers and impose duties or authorise the conferring of powers and imposition of duties upon any State Government or any officer or authority subordinate thereto.

NOTIFICATIONS

(1)

S.O. 104(E), dt. 16-2-1995 . In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby directs that the powers exercisable by it under sub-section (2) of Section 8 of the Act, in respect of minerals specified in Part C of the First Schedule to the Act in any area within the State of Goa, shall be exercisable also by the State Government of Goa with immediate effect and until further orders.

(2)

G.S.R. 816(E), dt. 15-11-2011 . In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957) read with Rule 15 of the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, the Central Government hereby specifies that the powers of the Central Government under Rules 9 and 11 of the said rules shall also be exercised by the Coal Controller in the Government of India.

(3)

S.O. 1253(E), dt. 8-5-2015 . In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby directs that the power exercisable by it under the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the said Act, shall be exercised by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, so far as it relates to coal and lignite in respect of Coal Public Sector Undertakings.

Section 27. Protection of action taken in good faith

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.

Section 28. Rules and notifications to be laid before Parliament and certain rules to be approved by Parliament

169 [(1) Every rule and every notification made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or notification or both Houses agree that the rule or notification should not be made, the rule or notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or notification.]

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the rule making power vested in the Central Government, no rules made with reference to clause ( c ) of sub-section (2) of Section 16 shall come into force until they have been approved, whether with or without modifications, by each House of Parliament.

170 [(3) Every rule and every notification made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature where it consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists one House, before that House.]

Section 29. Existing rules to continue

All rules made or purporting to have been made under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, shall, in so far as they relate to matters for which provision is made in this Act and are not inconsistent therewith, be deemed to have been made under this Act as if this Act had been in force on the date on which such rules were made and shall continue in force unless and until they are superseded by any rules made under this Act.

Section 30. Power of revision by Central Government

171 [The Central Government may, of its own motion or on an application made within the prescribed time by an aggrieved party,

( a ) revise any order made by a State Government or other authority in exercise of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act with respect to any mineral other than a minor mineral; or

( b ) where no such order has been made by the State Government or other authority in exercise of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act with respect to any mineral other than a minor mineral within the time prescribed therefor, pass such order as it may think fit and appropriate in the circumstances:

Provided that in cases covered by clause ( b ) the Central Government shall, before passing any order under this clause, give an opportunity of being heard or to represent in the matter.]

172 [ 30-A. Special provisions relating to mining leases for coal granted before 25th October, 1949 . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 9 and sub-section (1) of Section 16 shall not apply to or in relation to mining leases granted before the 25th day of October, 1949, in respect of coal, but the Central Government, if it is satisfied that it is expedient so to do, may be, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that all or any of the said provisions (including any rules made under Sections 13 and 18) shall apply to or in relation to such leases subject to such exceptions and modifications, if any, as may be specified in that or in any subsequent notification.]

173 [ 30-B. Constitution of Special Courts . (1) The State Government may, for the purposes of providing speedy trial of offences for contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (1-A) of Section 4, constitute, by notification, as many Special Courts as may be necessary for such area or areas, as may be specified in the notification.

(2) A Special Court shall consist of a Judge who shall be appointed by the State Government with the concurrence of the High Court.

(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a Special Court unless he is or has been a District and Sessions Judge.

(4) Any person aggrieved by the order of the Special Court may prefer an appeal to the High Court within a period of sixty days from the date of such order.]

174 [ 30-C. Special Courts to have powers of Court of Session . Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), shall apply to the proceedings before the Special Court and for the purpose of the provisions of this Act, the Special Court shall be deemed to be a Court of Session and shall have all powers of a Court of Session and the person conducting a prosecution before the Special Court shall be deemed to be a public prosecutor.]

Section 31. Relaxation of rules in special cases

The Central Government may, if it is of opinion that in the interests of mineral development it is necessary so to do, by order in writing and for reasons to be recorded, authorise in any case the grant, renewal or transfer of any 175 [reconnaissance permit,] prospecting licence or mining lease, or the working of any mine for the purpose of searching for or winning any mineral, on terms and conditions different from those laid down in the rules made under Section 13.

Section 32. Amendments to Act 53 of 1948

[ Rep. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960 (58 of 1960), S. 2 and Sch. I .]

Section 33. Validation of certain acts and indemnity

All acts of executive authority done, proceedings taken and sentences passed under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, with respect to the regulation of mines and the development of minerals during the period commencing on the 26th day of January, 1950, and ending with the date of commencement of this Act by the Government or by any officer of the Government or by any other authority, in the belief or purported belief that the acts, proceedings of sentences were being done, taken or passed under the said Act, shall be as valid and operative as if they had been done, taken or passed in accordance with law, and no suit or other legal proceeding shall be maintained or continued against any person whatsoever, on the ground that any such acts, proceedings or sentences were not done, taken or passed in accordance with law.

Schedule 1

[ See Sections 4(3), 5(1), 7(2) and 177 [8(1), 8-A(1), 10-A, 10-B(1), 10-C(1), 11(1), 11-B, 11-C, 12-A(1), and 17-A(2A)]]

SPECIFIED MINERALS

Part A. Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals

1. Coal and Lignite.

Part B. Atomic Minerals

1. Beryl and other beryllium bearing minerals.

2. Lithium-bearing minerals.

3. Minerals of the rare earths group containing Uranium and Thorium.

4. Niobium-bearing minerals.

5. Phosphorites and other phosphatic ores containing Uranium.

6. Pitchblende and other Uranium ores.

178 [7. Titanium-bearing minerals and ores (Ilmenite, Rutile and Leucoxene).]

8. Tantallium-bearing minerals.

9. Uraniferous allanite, nionazite and other thorium minerals.

10. Uranium-bearing tailings leftover from ores after extraction of copper and gold, ilmenite and other titanium oras:

179 [11. Zirconium-bearing minerals and ores including Zircon.]

180 [12. Beach and minerals, that is, economic heavy minerals found in the teri or beach sands, which include ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, garnet, monazite, zircon and sillimanite.].

Part C. Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals

1. Asbestos.

2. Bauxite.

3. Chrome ore.

4. Copper ore.

5. Gold.

6. Iron ore.

7. Lead.

8. 181 [* * *]

9. Manganese ore.

10. Precious stones.

11. Zinc.]

182 [ SECOND SCHEDULE

( See Section 9)

RATES OF ROYALTY IN RESPECT OF MINERALS AT ITEMS 1 TO 9, 11 TO 40 AND 42 TO 55

1.	Apatite and Rock Phosphate:
	( i )	Apatite		Five per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
	( ii )	Rock Phosphate		Twelve and half per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
		( a )	Above 25% P2O5
				Six per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
		( b )	Up to 25% P2O5
2.	Asbestos:
	( i )	Chrysotile		Eight hundred and eighty rupees per tonne.
	( ii )	Amphibole		Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
3.	Barytes:			Six and half per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
4.	Bauxite and Laterite:			( a ) Metallurgical Grade:
				Zero point six zero per cent of London Metal Exchange Aluminium metal price chargeable on the contained aluminium metal in ore produced for those dispatched for use in alumina and aluminium metal extraction.
				( b ) Non-Metallurgical Grade:
				Twenty-five per cent of average sale price on add valorem basis for those dispatched for use other than alumina and aluminium metal extraction.
5.	Brown Ilmenite (Leucoxene), Ilmenite, Rutile and Zircon:			Two per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
6.	Cadmium:			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
7.	Calcite:			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
8.	China clay or Kaolin: (including ball clay and white shale, white clay)
	( i )	Crude		Eight per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
	( ii )	Processed (including washed)		Twelve per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
9.	Clay others:			Twenty rupees per tonne.
10.	Coal (including Lignite):			*
11.	Chromite:			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
12.	Columbite-tantalite:			Ten per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
13.	Copper:			Four point six two per cent of London Metal Exchange. Copper metal price chargeable on the contained copper metal in ore produced.
14.	Diamond:			Eleven point five per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
15.	Dolomite:			Seventy-five rupees per tonne.
16.	Dunite:			Thirty rupees per tonne.
17.	Felspar:			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
18.	Fire Clay: (including plastic, pipe, lithomargic and natural pozzolanic clay)			Twelve per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
19.	Fluorspar: (also called fluorite)			Eight per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
20.	Garnet:
	( i )	Abrasive		Four per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
	( ii )	Gem		Ten per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
21.	Gold:
	( i )	Primary		Four per cent of London Bullion Market Association Price (commonly referred to as London Price) chargeable on the gold metal in ore produced.
	( ii )	By-product gold		Three point three per cent of London Bullion Market Association Price (commonly referred to as London Price) chargeable on the by-product gold metal actually produced.
22.	Graphite:
	( i )	With 80 per cent or more fixed carbon		Two hundred and twenty-five rupees per tonne.
	( ii )	With 40 per cent or more fixed carbon but less than 80 per cent fixed carbon		One hundred and fifty rupees per tonne.
	( iii )	With 20 per cent or more fixed carbon but less than 40 per cent fixed carbon		Sixty-five rupees per tonne.
	( iv )	With less than 20 per cent fixed carbon		Twenty-five rupees per tonne.
23.	Gypsum:			Twenty per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
24.	Iron Ore: (CLO, Lumps, fines and concentrates all grades)			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
25.	Lead:			( a ) Eight point five per cent of London Metal Exchange Lead metal price chargeable on the contained lead metal in ore produced.
				( b ) Fourteen point five per cent of London Metal Exchange Lead metal price chargeable on the contained lead metal in the concentrate produced.
26.	Limestone:
	( i )	L.D. Grade (less than 1.5 per cent silica content)		Ninety rupees per tonne.
	( ii )	Others		Eighty rupees per tonne.
27.	Lime kankar:			Eighty rupees per tonne.
28.	Limeshell:			Eighty rupees per tonne.
29.	Magnesite:			Three per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
30.	Manganese Ore:
	( i )	Ore of all grade		Five per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
	( ii )	Concentrates		One point seven per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
31.	Marl:			Sixty rupees per tonne.
32.	Crude Mica, waste mica and scrap mica:			Four per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
33.	Monazite:			One hundred and twenty-five rupees per tonne.
34.	Nickel:			Zero point one two per cent of London Metal Exchange. Nickel metal price chargeable on the contained nickel metal in ore produced.
35.	Ochre:			Twenty-four rupees per tonne.
36.	Pyrites			Two per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
37.	Pyrophyllite			Twenty per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
38.	Quartz:			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
39.	Ruby:			Ten per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
40.	Sand (others):			Twenty rupees per tonne.
41.	Sand for stowing:			**
42.	Shale:			Sixty rupees per tonne.
43.	Silica sand and moulding sand and Quartzite:			Ten per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
44.	Sillimanite:			Two point five per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
45.	Silver
	( i )	By-product		Seven per cent of London Metal Exchange Price chargeable on by-product silver metal actually produced.
	( ii )	Primary Silver		Five per cent of London Metal Exchange Silver Metal Price chargeable on the contained silver metal in ore produced.
46.	Slate:			Forty-five rupees per tonne.
47.	Talc, Steatite and Soapstone:			Eighteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
48.	Tin:			Seven point five per cent of London Metal Exchange Tin metal price chargeable on the contained tin metal in ore produced.
49.	Tungsten:			Twenty rupees per unit per cent of contained WO3 per tonne of ore and on pro rata basis.
50.	Uranium:			Two per cent of annual compensation amount received by M/s. Uranium Corporation of India Ltd., to be apportioned among the States on the basis of data provided by Department of Atomic Energy.
51.	Vanadium:			Twenty per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
52.	Vermiculite:			Five per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
53.	Wollastonite:			Fifteen per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.
54.	Zinc:			( a ) Nine point five per cent of London Metal Exchange Zinc metal price on ad valorem basis chargeable on contained zinc metal in ore produced.
				( b ) Ten per cent of London Metal Exchange Zinc metal price on ad valorem basis chargeable on contained zinc metal in concentrate produced.
55.	All other minerals not hereinbefore specified (Agate, Corundum, Diaspore, Felsite, Fuschite-Quartzite, Jasper, Kyanite, Perlite, Pyroxenite, Rock Salt, Selenite etc.)			Twelve per cent of average sale price on ad valorem basis.

Notes .

1. *Rates of royalty in respect of Item No. 10 relating to Coal (including Lignite) as revised vide notification number G.S.R. 349(E), dated the 10th May, 2012 read with corrigendum G.S.R. 525(E), dated the 14th June, 2012 of the Government of India in the Ministry of Coal shall remain in force until revised through a separate notification by the Ministry of Coal.

2. **Rates of royalty in respect of Item No. 41 relating to Sand for stowing revised vide notification number G.S.R. 214(E), dated the 11th April, 1997, will remain in force until revised through a separate notification by the Ministry of Coal.]

183 [ THIRD SCHEDULE

( See Section 9-A)

RATES OF DEAD RENT

1. Rates of dead rent applicable to the leases granted for low value minerals are as under:

RATES OF DEAD RENT IN RUPEES PER HECTARE PER ANNUM
From 2nd Year of Lease	3rd and 4th Year of Lease	5th Year onwards
400	1000	2000

2. Two times the rate specified at Paragraph 1 above in case of lease granted for medium value minerals.

3. Three times the rate specified at Paragraph 1 above in case of lease granted for high value minerals.

4. Four times the rate specified at Paragraph 1 above in case of lease granted for precious metals and stones.

Note :

1. For the purpose of this notification

( a ) precious metals and stones means gold, silver, diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald;

( b ) high value minerals means semi-precious stones (agate, gem garnet), corundum, copper, lead, zinc, and asbestos (chrysotile variety);

( c ) medium value minerals means chromite, manganese ore, kyanite, sillimanite, vermiculite, magnesite, wollastonite, perlite, diaspore, apatite, rock phosphate, fluorite (fluorspar), barytes, and iron ore;

( d ) low value minerals means the minerals other than precious metals and stones, high value minerals and medium value minerals.]

184 [ FOURTH SCHEDULE

[ See clause ( ea ) of Section 3]

Notified Minerals

1. Bauxite.

2. Iron ore.

3. Limestone.

4. Manganese ore.]

1. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 2.

2. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 3.

3. Came into force, w.e.f. 1-6-1958, vide G.S.R. 432, dt. 29-5-1958.

4. Subs. for clause (a) by Act 25 of 2016, S. 2. Prior to substitution it read as: (a) minerals includes all minerals except mineral oils; .

5. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 2(i)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

6. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 2(ii)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

7. The word and omitted by Act 38 of 1999, S. 4.

8. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 4.

9. The word and omitted by Act 10 of 2015, S. 2(iii)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

10. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 2(iv)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

11. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 5.

12. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 2 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

13. Subs. for the Atomic Minerals Division by Act 38 of 1999, S. 5.

14. Subs. for Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) by Act 10 of 2015, S. 3 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

15. Ins. by Act 16 of 1987, S. 14 (w.e.f. 1-10-1963).

16. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 5.

17. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 5.

18. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 2 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

19. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 5.

20. Section 4-A inserted by Act 56 of 1972, S. 2 and subs. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 3 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

21. Omitted by Act 25 of 1994, S. 2 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

22. Proviso omitted by Act 38 of 1999, S. 6.

23. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 2 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

24. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 2 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

25. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 2 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

26. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 4 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: Provided that the State Government may, on an application made by the holder of such lease before its expiry under this sub-section and on being satisfied that it will not be possible for the holder of the lease to undertake mining operations or to continue such operations for reasons beyond his control, make an order, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, to the effect that such lease shall not lapse: Provided further that the State Government may, on an application by the holder of a tease submitted within a period of six months from the date of its lapse and on being satisfied that such non-commencement or discontinuance was due to reasons beyond the control of the holder of the lease, revive the lease from such prospective or retrospective date as it thinks fit but not earlier than the date of lapse of the lease: Provided also that no lease shall be revived under the second proviso for more than twice during the entire period of the lease. .

27. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 2 (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

28. Subs. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 4 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

29. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 3 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

30. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 7.

31. Subs. for sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) by Act 10 of 2015, S. 5(A)(i)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

32. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 5(A)(ii)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: Provided that in respect of any mineral specified in the First Schedule, no reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease shall be granted except with the previous approval of the Central Government. .

33. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 3 (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

34. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 5(B)(i)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: (a) there is evidence to show that the area for which the lease is applied for has been prospected earlier or the existence of mineral contents therein has been established otherwise than by means of prospecting such area; and .

35. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 5(B)(ii)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

36. Subs. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 3.

37. The words in any one State omitted by Act 37 of 1986, S. 5 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

38. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 8.

39. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 8.

40. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 6 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: Provided that if the Central Government is of opinion that in the interests of the development of any mineral, it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded by it, in writing, permit any person to acquire one or more prospecting licences or mining leases covering an area in excess of the aforesaid total area;

41. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 8.

42. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 8.

43. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 3.

44. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 8.

45. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 8.

46. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 4 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

47. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 9.

48. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 9.

49. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 7 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: 8. Periods for which mining leases may be granted or renewed. (1) The maximum period for which a mining lease may be granted shall not exceed thirty years: Provided that the minimum period for which any such mining lease may be granted shall not be less than twenty years; (2) A raining lease may be renewed for a period not exceeding twenty years. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), if the State Government is of opinion that in the interests of mineral development it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded, authorise the renewal of a mining lease in respect of minerals not specified in Part-A and Part-B of the First Schedule for a further period or periods not exceeding twenty years in each case. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) and sub-section (3), no mining lease granted in respect of mineral specified in Part-A or Part-B of the First Schedule shall be renewed except with the previous approval of the Central Government. .

50. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 8 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

51. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 4 (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

52. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 5 (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

53. Subs. for mineral removed by him by Act 56 of 1972, S. 4.

54. Subs. for mineral removed by him by Act 56 of 1972, S. 4.

55. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 4.

56. Subs. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 4.

57. Subs. for four years by Act 37 of 1986, S. 8 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

58. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 5.

59. Subs. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 9 for four years (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

60. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 9 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

61. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 9 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

62. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 11.

63. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 11.

64. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 10 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

65. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 10 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

66. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 10 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

67. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 6 (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

68. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 11 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: 11. Preferential right of certain persons. (1) Where a reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence has been granted in respect of any land, the permit holder or the licensee shall have a preferential right for obtaining a prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, in respect of that land over any other person: Provided that the State Government is satisfied that the permit holder or the licensee, as the case may be, (a) has undertaken reconnaissance operations or prospecting operations, as the case may be, to establish mineral resources in such land; (b) has not committed any breach of the terms and conditions of the reconnaissance permit or the prospecting licence; (c) has not become ineligible under the provisions of this Act; and (d) has not failed to apply for grant of prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, within three months after the expiry of reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence, as the case may be, or within such further period, as may be extended by the said Government. (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), where the State Government has not notified in the Official Gazette the area for grant of reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, and two or more persons have applied for a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or a mining lease in respect of any land in such area, the applicant whose application was received earlier, shall have the preferential right to be considered for grant of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, over the applicant whose application was received later: Provided that where an area is available for grant of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, and the State Government has invited applications by notification in the Official Gazette for grant of such permit, licence or lease, all the applications received during the period specified in such notification and the applications which had been received prior to the publication of such notification in respect of the lands within such area and had not been disposed of, shall be deemed to have been received on the same day for the purposes of assigning priority under this sub-section: Provided further that where any such applications are received on the same day, the State Government, after taking into consideration the matter specified in sub-section (3), may grant the reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, to such one of the applicants as it may deem fit. (3) The matters referred to in sub-section (2) are the following: (a) any special knowledge of, or experience in, reconnaissance operations, prospecting operations or mining operations, as the case may be, possessed by the applicant; (b) the financial resources of the applicant; (c) the nature and quality of the technical staff employed or to be employed by the applicant; (d) the investment which the applicant proposes to make in the mines and in the industry based on the minerals; (e) such other matters as may be prescribed. (4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), where the State Government notifies in the Official Gazette an area for grant of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, all the applications received during the period as specified in such notification, which shall not be less than thirty days, shall be considered simultaneously as if all such applications have been received on the same day and the State Government, after taking into consideration the matters specified in sub-section (3), may grant the reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, to such one of the applicants as it may deem fit. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), but subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), the State Government may, for any special reasons to be recorded, grant a reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be, to an applicant whose application was received later in preference to an application whose application was received earlier: Provided that in respect of minerals specified in the First Schedule, prior approval of the Central Government shall be obtained before passing any order under this sub-section. .

69. Subs. by Act 11 of 2015, S. 28 and Sch. IV (Pt. B)(w.r.e.f. 21-10-2014). Prior to substitution it read as: 11-A. Procedure in respect of coal or lignite. The Central Government may, for the purpose of granting reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of an area containing coal or lignite, select through auction by competitive bidding on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, a company engaged in, (i) production of iron and steel; (ii) generation of power; (iii) washing of coal obtained from a mine; or (iv) such other end use as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, and the State Government shall grant such reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of coal or lignite to such company as selected through auction by competitive bidding under this section: Provided that the auction by competitive bidding shall not be applicable to an area containing coal or lignite, (a) where such area is considered for allocation to a Government company or corporation for mining or such other specified end use; (b) where such area is considered for allocation to a company or corporation that has awarded a power project on the basis of competitive bids for tariff (including Ultra Mega Power Projects). Explanation. For the purposes of this section, company means a company as defined in Section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) and includes a foreign company within the meaning of Section 591 of that Act. .

70. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 7(i) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

71. Subs. for in respect of any area containing coal or lignite by Act 2 of 2020, S. 7(ii)(a) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

72. Subs. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 7(ii)(b) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020). Prior to substitution it read as: that carry on coal mining operations in India, in any form either for own consumption, sale or for any other purpose in accordance with the permit, prospecting licence or mining lease, as the case may be.

73. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 7(ii)(c) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

74. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 7(iii)(a) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

75. Subs. competitive bidding or otherwise by Act 2 of 2020, S. 7(iii)(b) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

76. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 12 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

77. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 12 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

78. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 13.

79. Ins by Act 10 of 2015, S. 13 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

80. Ins. by Act 25 of 2016, S. 3.

81. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

82. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

83. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 8(i) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

84. Ins. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 8(ii) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

85. Subs. by Act 2 of 2020, S. 8(ii) (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020). Prior to substitution it read as: (d) the terms and conditions of auction by competitive bidding, the details of mines and their location, the minimum size of such mines and such other conditions which may be necessary for the purpose of coal mining operations including mining for sale by a company under sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of Section 11-A.

86. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

87. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

88. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

89. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

90. Subs. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 11 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

91. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

92. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

93. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 14(i)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

94. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

95. Omitted by Act 37 of 1986, S. 11 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

96. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 14.

97. Subs. by Act 37 of 1987, S. 11 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

98. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 11 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

99. The word and omitted by Act 10 of 2015, S. 14(ii)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

100. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 14(iii)(w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

101. Ins. by Act 25 of 2016, S. 4.

102. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 6.

103. Subs. for Sections 4 to 13 by Act 37 of 1986, S. 12 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

104. Subs. for Sections 4 to 13 by Act 37 of 1986, S. 12 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

105. Subs. for prospecting licences and mining leases by Act 56 of 1972, S. 7.

106. Subs. for prospecting licences and mining leases by Act 56 of 1972, S. 7.

107. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 13 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

108. Subs. for prospecting licences and mining leases by Act 56 of 1972, S. 8.

109. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 8.

110. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 13 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

111. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 13 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

112. Subs. for four years by Act 37 of 1986, S. 13 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

113. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 15 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

114. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 16 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

115. Subs. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 9.

116. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 6 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

117. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 6 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

118. Ins. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 6 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

119. The word only omitted by Act 56 of 1972, S. 10.

120. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 10.

121. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

122. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

123. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

124. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

125. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

126. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

127. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

128. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 15.

129. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 14 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

130. Ins. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 7 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

131. Omitted by Act 25 of 1994, S. 7 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

132. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 17 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

133. The words Part A and omitted by Act 2 of 2020, S. 9 (w.r.e.f. 10-1-2020 and shall be deemed to have been repealed after the expiry of sixty days from 13-3-2020).

134. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 7 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

135. Subs. for for the conservation and development of minerals in India by Act 37 of 1986, S. 15 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

136. Subs. for that purpose by Act 37 of 1986, S. 15 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

137. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 15 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

138. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 11.

139. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 16.

140. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 16.

141. Omitted by Act 25 of 1994, S. 8 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

142. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 16.

143. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 16.

144. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 18 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

145. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 19 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: (1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (1-A) of Section 4 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees, or with both. (2) Any rule made under any provision of this Act may provide that any contravention thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both, and in the case of a continuing contravention, with an additional fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first such contravention. .

146. Subs. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 12.

147. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 17.

148. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 16 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

149. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 13.

150. Ins. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 9 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

151. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 18.

152. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 18.

153. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 19.

154. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 20.

155. The words or special omitted by Act 38 of 1999, S. 20.

156. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 20.

157. Ins. by Act 37 of 1986, S. 17 (w.e.f. 10-2-1987).

158. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

159. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

160. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

161. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

162. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

163. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

164. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 21.

165. Section 25 renumbered as sub-section (1) by Act 56 of 1972, S. 14.

166. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 22.

167. Ins. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 14.

168. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 22.

169. Subs. by Act 56 of 1972, S. 15.

170. Ins. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 10 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

171. Subs. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 20 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015). Prior to substitution it read as: 30. Power of revision of Central Government. The Central Government may, of its own motion or on application made within the prescribed time by an aggrieved party, revise any order made by a State Government or other authority in exercise of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act with respect to any mineral other than a minor mineral. .

172. Ins. by Act 15 of 1958, S. 2.

173. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 21 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

174. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 21 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

175. Ins. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 23.

176. Subs. by Act 25 of 1994, S. 12 (w.e.f. 25-1-1994).

177. Subs. for 8(2) by Act 10 of 2015, S. 22 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).

178. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 24.

179. Subs. by Act 38 of 1999, S. 24.

180. Ins. by S.O. 2356(E), dt. 11-7-2016.

181. Omitted by Act 38 of 1999, S. 24.

182. Subs. by G.S.R. 630(E), dt. 1-9-2014.

183. Subs. by G.S.R. 631(E), dt. 1-9-2014.

184. Ins. by Act 10 of 2015, S. 23 (w.r.e.f. 12-1-2015).