Coal news and updates

Govt to bring in MMDR Act Amendment Bill in winter session of parliament

September 19: MMDR Act amendment Bill will be brought in the forthcoming session (winder session) of Parliament, while detailed guidelines for mineral concessions will be issued in the coming weeks, Minister for Steel, Mines, Labour & Employment N S Tomar said on September 18.

Speaking at the Mining & Exploration Convention & Trade Show in Bangalore, Tomar further said, “Our Government is working to totally transform the image of mining sector in India. We have a three-pronged approach to this, to foster transparency, simplification and development, so that all processes are simpler and faster, and every person can get his work done without any prejudice.”

He said that mining is one area where opportunities to create employment are immense, but mining & minerals sector is passing through a challenging phase.

Increasing cost of exploration, decrease in grade quality, environmental challenges, expectations from society, lack of skilled manpower, health and safety issues are some of the challenges the sector is facing, he pointed.

The minister said that central government is trying to expedite the pending mining clearances.

“We have asked the state governments also through face-to-face meetings and written communication, to speed up the clearances. The government is also trying to encourage use of latest technology in the field of mining, specially underground mining, to minimise impact on environment and for faster development of the sector,” he said.