(a) whether prospecting licences or reconnaisance permits have been granted in favour of multinational companies for aerial prospecting of minerals in Andhra Pradesh;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the multinationals will also tap the minerals in the State; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) and (b): Under Section 5(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, only an Indian national or a company registered in India can be granted a reconnaissance permit or prospecting licence for exploration of minerals . As such, under the existing scheme of the mining legislation, a foreign company is not allowed to undertake reconnaissance/prospecting operations. However, on the recommendations of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, approvals have been given by the Central Government under Section 5(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 for grant of 29 Reconnaissance Permits in favour of private Indian Companies many of which are the subsidiaries formed by multinational companies. The details are given in Annexure.
(c) and (d): Tapping the minerals depends on techno-economic viability of the deposits, if established on the basis of reconnaissance operations and subsequent prospecting.
ANNEXURE
Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 6000 for 6.5.2002 asked by Shri B.K.Parthasarathy regarding Licences to Multinational Companies
List of Private Indian Companies in whose favour Reconnaissance Permits have been approved by the Central Government in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
Sl.No. Name of Company Minerals No. of RPs Area (in Sq.Kms.)
1. M/s. De Beers Private Limited Gold, diamond and associated minerals 6 9197
2. M/s. Phelps Dodge Exploration India Pvt. Ltd. Copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, barytes, diamond and associated minerals 4 6945
3. M/s. CRA Exploration India Pvt. Ltd. Diamond & other precious minerals including gold, silver, bismuth and cadmium 4 9330
4. M/s. Geo-Mysore Services India Pvt. Ltd. Gold, copper, lead, zinc, silver, nickel, tungsten, antimony, bismuth, arsenic, cobalt, molybdenum, platinum group of metals and diamond 7 3425
5. M/s. AMIL Mining India Pvt. Ltd. Diamond, gold, precious stone and associated minerals 6 6522 6. M/s. Anglo American Exploration (India) Pvt. Ltd. Copper, nickel and associated minerals 2 5345