JUDICIOUS EXPLOITATION OF MINERAL
RESOURCES
The National Mineral
Policy, 1993 (NMP), inter alia recognizes that the policies governing
the mining and mineral sector should be harmonized with the policies
meant for industrial and socio-economic developments in the country.
Some mineral rich areas are ecologically fragile and some are
biologically rich. NMP states that it is necessary to take comprehensive
view to facilitate the choice or order of land use keeping in
view the needs of development as well as needs of protecting the
forests, environment and ecology. Both aspects have to be properly
coordinated to facilitate and ensure a sustainable development
of mineral resources in harmony with environment.
As envisaged
in the NMP, in order to ensure scientific and systematic mining
with due regard to environment, under mining statutes, no mining
lease can be granted without an approved mining plan. Stringent
penalties have been provided for violations of Mineral Conservation
and development Rules, 1988. Mining activities are also subject
to other laws of the land including the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and rules made
thereunder. Mining industry is required to follow the air pollution
and water pollution norms. For major mining projects of bauxite,
iron ore, limestone public hearing and environmental impact assessment
studies are required before mining leases are granted. Mining
in ecologically fragile regions is restricted under specific regulations
and notifications like the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification
and Aravalli Notification.
Independent studies
and reports on effect of mining on environment brought out from
time to time help the Government in taking policy decisions and
streamlining the monitoring mechanism for sustainable development
of mineral resources in harmony with environment which is an ongoing
process.
This information
was given by the Minister for Mines, Shri Ramesh Bais in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
