Government Expands Forest Land Drilling Exemptions for Mineral Exploration

The government is letting companies drill more holes in forests to look for minerals.

They can now drill between 62 and 80 holes per 10 square kilometers, which is more than before.

This is happening because the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Mines wanted it, and a study said the impact on forests would be small.

The drilling will be done during the day to bother the animals as little as possible, and the holes must be filled in.

The rules also say to avoid sensitive areas, like places where animals live or where water comes from.

This decision is meant to make it easier to find valuable minerals.