(a) whether the mining activities have been leased to private operators in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the terms of the lease on which these mines have been leased out?
(a) whether the mining activities have been leased to private operators in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the terms of the lease on which these mines have been leased out?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI JAYSINGRAO GAIKWAD PATIL)
(a)to (c): Yes Sir. As per Section 5(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation ) Act, 1957, a mining lease can be granted to an Indian national or a company as defined under Section 3(1) of the Companies Act, 1956. Mining activity in the country has historically been undertaken by Indian nationals and by public sector as well as private sector companies. The applications for grant of mining leases both from the private sector and public sector are continuously received and processed by the State Governments. Mining Leases are granted by the State Governments as per provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Rules made thereunder. The terms and conditions of the mining lease are governed by the provisions of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960. Since the grant of mining leases is under the domain of State Governments , the information regarding the details of individual private sector mines is not centrally maintained. However, as per the information furnished by Indian Bureau of Mines, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Mines, during 2000-2001, the total number of reporting working mines in private sector was 2159.