Coal news and updates

Curbing illegal mining is essential: Minister

November 27: Curbing illegal mining in the country is extremely important as it is destroying precious mineral reserves through unsystematic mining and resulting in a substantial loss to the state exchequer due to non-payment of royalties, Minister of Mines Dinsha J Patel said.

Speaking at a consultative committee meeting of the ministry on the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Patel praised the organization for creating a portal to facilitate online registration of miners, traders, stockists, exporters and end-users of the mineral and for submission of monthly and annual returns.

"IBM has to a play a significant role in the pan-India roll-out of a sustainable development framework (SDF) document prepared by the ministry for the mining sector," he said.

The framework relates to mineral conservation, zero-waste mining, increasing the resource base, beneficiation process and R&D to ensure sustainable development, Patel said.

Patel said a Cabinet note is under consideration by his ministry for seeking the government's approval for restructuring and strengthening of IBM, based on the recommendations of the committee.

The committee has recommended a new vision for IBM, which aims to ensure it to evolve as a national technical regulator, the minister said.