(a) the total mineral reserved areas State-wise and mineral-wise;
(b) the percentage out of the reserved areas tapped so far;
(c) whether the Government has any proposal to extract and exploit the mineral deposit areas;
(d) if so, the target set for the Eleventh Five Year Plan; and
(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY)
(a) & (b): Reservation of areas was earlier done by State Governments concerned and
therefore details of total reserved areas and percentage of area tapped for mining is not
centrally maintained.
(c): State Governments are the owners of the minerals and grant mineral concession including
grant of mining lease. Prior approval of the Central Government is necessary only in respect
of minerals mentioned in the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development &
Regulation) Act, 1957.
(d) Mining of minerals is determined by economic viability and market demand for any
particular mineral.
(e) Does not arise in view of (d) above.