Question : REGULATION OF MINING ACTIVITIES

(a) whether the Government has notified the Controller General, Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) as an Administering Authority for grant of mineral concessions and regulation of exploration and mining activities;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the mineral bearing blocks notified in offshore areas in various States for grant of exploration licences; and

(d) the details of applications received for such blocks and the number of exploration licenses issued so far, State-wise?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 420 FOR REPLY ON 4.5.2012 REGARDING REGULATION OF MINING ACTIVITIES ASKED BY SHRI PRADEEP MAJHI AND SHRI KISHANBHAI V. PATEL

(a) and (b): Vide notification number SO 339(E) dated 11.2.2010, Controller General, Indian Bureau of Mines has been notified as an Administering Authority for grant of mineral concessions and regulation of exploration and mining activities in offshore areas.

(c) and (d): A total of 63 mineral bearing blocks have been notified vide notification dated 07.06.2010 in the offshore areas, out of which 37 blocks were falling under Arabian Sea and 26 blocks in Bay of Bengal. Out of a total of 377 applications received against the said notification from 53 applicants, orders for grant of exploration licences were issued to 16 applicants for 62 blocks on 05.04.2011. However, till date no exploration licence has been executed as the matter is subjudice in High Courts of Andhra Pradesh, Madras and Bombay (Nagpur bench).