MINERAL CONCESSION RULES
Under Rule 22(4A)
of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, State Governments have
been empowered to approve mining plan of open cast mines (mines
other than the under ground mines) in respect of 29 non-metallic
or industrial minerals which were notified vide Gazette Notification
number GSR 743(E) in September 2000. Mineral Concession Rules
1960 have been further amended vide Gazette Notification GSR 733(E)
in October 2002 to modify the eligibility qualifications of the
officers of the State Governments who could be empowered to approve
mining plan of the 29 non-metallic industrial minerals. This information
was given by the Minister for Mines Shri Ramesh Bais in a written
reply in the Lok Sabha today.
In reply to a
question on Government's endeavour to promote exploitation of
mineral resources, he said that under the National Mineral Policy,
1993, the exploration and exploitation of all non-fuel and non-atomic
minerals have been thrown open to private entrepreneurs. Government
is making all efforts to increase investment in the mining sector
by creating investor friendly climate and removing bottlenecks
to attract such investment.
