Coal news and updates

Govt aims to start iron ore mines auctions soon

March 4: In a bid to bring in reforms in the mining sector and enhance transparency, the government plans to auction minerals such as iron ore, bauxite and manganese, Parliament was informed on March 4.

Minister of State for Mines and Steel Vishnu Deo Sai replied in the affirmative in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha as to whether there is any proposal to auction such minerals.

"An Ordinance was promulgated on January 12, 2015 to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 providing for auction of mineral concessions," he said.

In reply to another query, Sai said the Ordinance provides for "grant of mineral concession through auction by competitive bidding" and "enhancing penal provisions to check illegal mining".

He said changes were being brought in the legal framework to streamline mineral production, including production of iron ore and to introduce "transparent procedure for grant of mineral concession through auction."

It also aims at "removal of discretionary provisions like renewal of mining, increase in tenure of mining leases to 50 years and transition provisions to ensure that mining operations do not come to a standstill".

A Bill seeking to introduce the system of auction of mines to enhance transparency and augment mineral production was passed in the Lok Sabha, with the government terming it a "revolutionary" step.

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015, which will replace an Ordinance promulgated in January, was passed amid vociferous protests by members from the TMC, BJD and RSP.

Wrapping up the debate on the legislation, Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had said the Bill, once enacted, will increase transparency, end discretion, augment production and benefit the local population.