Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there is a decline in index of mineral production during 2014-17 and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is planning to ease the restriction on export or temporarily discontinue the mining activities for want of environmental clearance etc; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND COAL
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)
(a): As per the index of mineral production published by Indian Bureau of Mines (a subordinate office of the Ministry of Mines), a comparative statement of mineral production in the mineral sector for the years 2014-15 to 2016-17 is given below:
(Base Year: 2011-12=100)
All Minerals Index of Mineral Production
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 (P)
93.3 97.3 102.5
(P): Provisional; Source: Indian Bureau of Mines
It can be seen from the table that there is no decline in index of mineral production during the years 2014-17.
(b) and (c): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which deals with the process to grant Environmental Clearance. The projects for mining require prior environment clearance without which no mining activity can be taken up.
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