Question : ABANDONED MINES

(a) the number of abandoned/dead mines in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether there are reports that miners have not adhered to the rules and provisions of the National Mineral Policy, 2008 regarding refilling and afforestation of abandoned mines and the green zones are turning barren in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) whether the Government proposes to take any punitive action against such miners and to ensure the refilling and afforestation of abandoned mining areas; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (e) : As per available information, there are 82 abandoned mines in the country, which exist prior to framing of rules for progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan. The State-wise information on 82 abandoned mines is available on website of Indian Bureau of Mines (http://ibm.nic.in). In order to address the concerns on proper mine closure before the mining operation is ceased, the Government has introduced the concept of progressive mine closure plan and final mine closure plan for proper reclamation and rehabilitation of the area held under mining lease with effect from 10.4.2003. According to this, every mining lessee holder has to submit a progressive or final mine closure plan. In the progressive mine closure plan, the mining lessee holder has to indicate the protective, reclamation and rehabilitative measures to be taken progressively and in final mine closure plan such measures to be taken after the cessation of mining operations. Every lease holder has to furnish financial assurance to the competent authority and if the mining lessee does not carry out protective, reclamation and rehabilitative measures as envisaged in the approved mine closure plan, the financial assurance can be realized by the State Government to carry out the requisite protective measures in the area held under mining lease. One case of non-compliance of mine closure plan by M/s HINDALCO Industries Ltd. in Amarkantak bauxite mine has come to the notice of Indian Bureau of Mines, where the case of forfeiture of financial assurance is with Indian Bureau of Mines.