Question : Sanctioned Mines

(a) the total number of sanctioned mines in the country and Uttar Pradesh so far and the number out of them which are operational at present along with the number of those falling under the private sector;
(b) whether all these mines comply with the safety and environment conservation norms and if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether some of these mines have been closed down or are on the verge of closure due to violation of these norms and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND COAL
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) : The State Governments grant the mineral concessions under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957. For Minor Minerals, all policy and legislation for grant of mineral concessions and also their regulation and administration are devolved completely to the State Governments under the MMDR Act. The information for all minerals is not centrally maintained. However, details of total number of mines of major minerals in the country including Uttar Pradesh and the number of working mines along with the mines falling under the private sector as on 01.04.2018 is as under:

S. No. Particulars Total Number of Mines Number of Working Mines Number of Mines in Private sector
(i) India 3843 1222 1113
(ii) Uttar Pradesh 4 2 2



(b) & (c): Safety in Mines is regulated through the Mines Act, 1952 which is administered by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, the provisions of which are enforced by the Directorate General of Mines Safety. The safety norms are being checked for compliance by the Directorate General of Mines Safety through inspections and enquires made by the officers of the Directorate from time to time. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal Ministry to address the environmental impacts of the developmental projects/activities. MoEFCC has issued the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which deals with the process for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC). The projects of mining of minerals require prior environmental clearance. As per the EIA Notification 2006, all the Project Proponents need to prepare a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment/Environmental Management Plan for obtaining Environmental Clearance. While according environmental clearance, the Expert Appraisal Committee stipulates necessary conditions for safeguarding the environment. The status of compliance of stipulated conditions of the environmental clearances of different projects, including mining projects, is monitored by Regional Offices of the MoEFCC.

(d) : As per the information provided by Directorate General of Mines Safety, Ministry of Labour & Employment, no mine has been closed down due to the violation of the Mines Act, 1952 and Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

******