Question : GRANT OF MINERAL CONCESSIONS TO PRIVATE COMPANIES

(a) whether the Government has granted permission for mineral concessions to private companies in the country, particularly in the backward and tribal dominated regions;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of permissions for mineral concessions granted by the Government during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT -wise;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure that the private companies engaged in mining in the said areas establish their industries in tribal dominated areas only; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(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 backward and tribal dominated regions, is given in the Annexure.

(c) & (d) The Government has introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill (MMDR Bill), 2011 in Lok Sabha on 12.12.2011 in which there is a provision for sharing of benefits with the local population which would enable monetary benefit to families affected by mining related activities and creation, management and maintenance of local infrastructure in areas affected by mining related operations.