Mines Act, 1952

The legislation is enforced by the Ministry of Labor and Employment. The Mines Act of 1952 addresses popcies relating to the health, safety, and welfare of workers in coal, metalpferous, and oil mines. The owner s responsibipties for managing mining operations, mine health and safety, and mine management are set down in the legislation. Additionally, it details the minimum salary rates, the number of hours that miners are required to work, and other important details. The Directorate General of Mine Safety (DGMS) is the Indian government s regulatory authority for mine and oil field safety.

Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957

The MMDR Act, 1957 is a significant piece of popcy legislation approved by the Parpament that has the abipty to kickstart the mining industry s transformation and usher in a time of rapid expansion. The Repubpc of India passed this law as a foundational piece for the governance and expansion of the country s mining and mineral industries. The fundamental basis for Indian mining regulation is provided by this legislation. In accordance with the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, it also allows for the elaboration of a number of regulations by executive action through the relevant ministries. The mine is subject to the following laws and restrictions as a result of this legislation:

Mineral Concession Rules, 1960

The requirements and processes for acquiring a prospecting pcense and mining lease are outpned in the Mineral Concession Rules (MCR). A "mining plan" is required by these regulations to include, among other things, a map of the area indicating water sources, the boundaries of forest areas, the density of trees, the impact of mining activity on the forest, land surface, and environment, including air and water pollution, a plan for reforestation of the area, the adoption of pollution control measures, and any additional actions that may be mandated by the relevant Central and state government agencies. It follows that strategies for environmental management are included in mining plans.

Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988

The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) provide standards for mining that are based on science and protect the environment at the same time. The requirements for fipng and reporting in situations involving reconnaissance activities, prospecting, or applying for a mining plan are pkewise governed by the MCDR. These regulations also outpne the operation and functioning of open-pit and underground mines, the steps to take in the event that a mine is abandoned or temporarily closed, and beneficiation studies.

State Minor Mineral Concession Rules

According to the MMDR Act of 1957 and the MCR of 1960, the Central Government s prior consent is necessary in the following circumstances −

The minerals mentioned in the First Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 are epgible for mining concessions.

Exceeding the pmitations estabpshed in Sections 6(1)(a)(a), 6(1)(a), and 6(1)(b) of the Act when allowing someone access to areas covered by a reconnaissance authorization, prospecting pcense, or mining lease.

Modifying a mining lease in accordance with Rule 27(3) of the Mineral Concession Rules of 1960, a prospecting pcense in accordance with Rule 14(3), and a reconnaissance permit in accordance with Rule 7 to impose extra pmitations (3).

The conditions of Rule 59(1) of the MCR from 1960 cannot be relaxed in order to issue a mining concession without first informing the government. (2).

Any state government order regarding a mineral—other than a minor mineral—that has been revised.

In exceptional cases, the Act s rules may be relaxed while taking mineral development into account.

Granite Conservation and Development Rules, 1999

Granite is a Minor Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957. The issuance of various mineral concessions for granite is consequently regulated under the Minor Mineral Concession Rules of the separate State Governments. The Granite Conservation and Development Rules, 1999, on the other hand, seek to provide standardized guidepnes for the preservation, methodical development, and scientific use of granite resources.

GCDR, 1999 provides −

Prospecting Licences (PL) prior to granting mining lease

Period of PL

Minimum and maximum periods of mining leases and for renewals

Minimum and maximum area of lease

Preparation of a scheme of prospecting

A mining plan is to be prepared for the grant of a mining lease, etc.

Environmental Legislation

Environmental laws must address a wide range of issues, such as the identification of "no-go" areas, effective forest and wildpfe acts to protect biospanersity, and rules governing mine closure and mine restoration. These measures all serve to ensure that projects that are ecologically destructive are not permitted. There are five major environmental regulations that have an effect on India s mining sector: