(a) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in regard to deployment of high productivity extraction techniques; and
(b) as many rich mineral deposits are in environmentally sensitive areas such as forests, seashores & tribal habitation, the details of the policy decision taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Mines, administers the Mines and Mineral Development Act, 1957 and the rules made thereunder. The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 has been notified for conservation and systematic development of mineral for protection of environment. The National Mineral Policy (NMP), 2019 also envisages that the mining need to be carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner keeping stakeholders’ participation. Para 6.4 of the NMP,2019 envisages use of equipment and machinery which will improve the efficiency, productivity and economics of mining operations as well as mineral beneficiation process, safety and health of persons working in the mines. Further the said policy envisages that mining operations shall not ordinarily be taken up in identified ecologically fragile and biologically rich areas.
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