Question : MINING IN TRIBAL AREAS

(a) whether the Government has permitted certain private sector companies to carry out mining activities in the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe majority areas in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the mining leases granted to private sector companies during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Jharkhand;

(c) whether the tribals have objected to mining activities being undertaken in and around their habitations and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES, STEEL, LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)&(b): The State Governments are the owners of the minerals located within their respective boundaries. They grant the mineral concessions [Reconnaissance Permit (RP), Prospecting License (PL) and Mining Lease (ML)] under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957. Prior approval of the Central Government is required under Section 5 (1) of the Act for grant of RP, PL and ML in respect of minerals specified in Parts ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the First Schedule to the Act. Subsequent to the prior approval of the Central Government, mineral concessions are executed by the State Governments with the applicants after they obtain all statutory clearances and approvals. Details of the prior approvals given by the Ministry of Mines in respect of private companies during the last three years and the current year, State/UT wise, including in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe majority areas in the country is given in the Annexure.

(c): The information is not centrally maintained.

(d): The Central Government has enunciated National Mineral Policy, 2008, which seeks to develop a sustainable framework for optimum utilization of the country’s natural mineral resources for the industrial growth in the country and at the same time, improving the life of people living in mining areas, which are generally located in the backward and tribal regions of the country. The Mineral Policy also enunciates that special care will be taken to protect the interest of host and indigenous (tribal) populations through developing models of stakeholder interest based on the international best practice.