Question : CLASSIFICATION OF MINING AREAS

(a) whether the Government has identified mining areas as ‘go’ and ‘no go’ areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the mining companies are incurring losses due to such identification;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the follow-up action taken by the Government to safeguard the interest of mining companies;

(f) whether the suggestions/recommendations have been sought from the environment point of view for framing the proposed mining policy; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI B. K. HANDIQUE)

(a) to (g): As per available information, the Government has taken up an exercise to superimpose maps of coal bearing areas on maps of forest cover in case of nine coalfields with a view to identify prima-facie “Go” and “ No-Go” areas for coal mining. The Central Government has enunciated National Mineral Policy, 2008 which provides that it is necessary to take a comprehensive view to facilitate the choice or order of land use keeping in view the needs of development as well as needs of protecting the forests, environment and ecology.