(a) the total number and categories of mines in the country;
(b) whether the Government has granted some mines on lease to the private companies;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the terms and conditions under which each of the mine has been leased?
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)
(a): As per information available with Indian Bureau of Mines, there are 2441 reporting mines
in the country during 2009-10, of which 2240 mines are in private sector and 221 mines are in
public sector. As per Mineral Conservation and Development Rules,1988, mines are grouped as
either Category ‘A’ or Category ‘B’ mines. Category ‘A’ mines are such mines where operations
are fully mechanized or where the number of average employment exceeds one hundred and fifty
in all or seventy-five in workings below ground, or a mine where any of the mining operations
is carried out with the help of heavy machinery. All other mines not coming under this
definition are categorized as Category ‘B’ mines.
(b)&(c):State Governments grant mining leases as the owner of the minerals. Prior approval of
the Central Government is mandatory for grant of Mineral Concession for minerals in the First
Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957. The details of prior
approvals granted by the Central Government for grant of mineral concessions are given on the
website of Ministry of Mines (http://mines.gov.in).
(d): The State Governments grant mineral concessions as per the provisions of the Mines and
Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.