Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Centre Proposes Easing Mineral Mining Rules
The Indian government has proposed some changes to the rules about mining minerals.
They want to let companies that have mines for their own use sell any extra minerals they have after using what they need.
This is part of a bigger plan to make it easier to explore and mine minerals, especially those that are deep underground.
They also want to allow miners to expand their mining areas a little bit if they find more minerals nearby.
Additionally, the government has decided to stop giving new permits for mining in the Aravalli hills to protect the environment.
However, some people, like the Congress party, are worried that these changes might harm the environment and are criticizing the government for not listening to experts.
The Centre proposed allowing captive mine owners to sell surplus minerals in the open market after meeting the needs of their linked end-use plants.
The draft rules also propose facilitating the expansion of deep-seated mineral operations and streamlining the inclusion of additional minerals in existing mining leases.
The government has imposed a complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the Aravalli range to preserve the integrity of the range.
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been tasked with identifying additional no-mining zones in the Aravallis based on ecological, geological, and landscape-level considerations.
The Congress party has criticized the government's redefinition of the Aravalli Hills, alleging it could lead to environmental damage and the sidelining of expert inputs.
- Who
- The Indian government, specifically the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- What
- Proposed changes to mineral concession rules, including allowing captive mine owners to sell surplus minerals and banning new mining leases in the Aravalli range.
- When
- The draft rules were issued in 2025, with the ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli range announced on December 25, 2025.
- Where
- India, specifically focusing on mineral mining rules and the Aravalli range.
- Why
- To ease operational restrictions, encourage deeper mineral exploration, and protect the Aravalli ecosystem.
- Proposed Change
- Allow captive mine owners to sell surplus minerals in the open market after meeting end-use plant requirements.
- Deep-Seated Minerals
- Minerals occurring at a depth of more than 200 metres from the surface with poor surface manifestations.
- Lease Expansion
- Holders of mining leases for deep-seated minerals can seek a one-time expansion of their lease area into contiguous land, capped at 10% of the existing leased area.
- Additional Payments
- Lease holders must pay an additional amount equal to 10% of the auction premium on minerals dispatched from the added area for leases granted through auction.
- Minor Mineral Leases
- If the extent, quantity or value of a non-minor mineral exceeds 25% of the minor mineral in a lease area, the lease will be terminated and put up for auction.
- Aravalli Ban
- Complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the Aravalli range.
- Management Plan
- Comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region.
- Criticism
- Congress alleges that the redefinition of Aravalli Hills could lead to environmental damage and sidelining of expert inputs.