India’s Mines Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique has been working towards adoption of the National Mineral Policy by creating a consensus among the mineral rich states without sacrificing the nation’s growth agenda. He spoke to Sarita Choudhury on various issues facing the sector and how he has been addressing them
What are the changes contemplated by the new Mining Law proposed by the Government?
Illegal activity in mines could mean cancellation of existing permits and debarment from undertaking any mining activity for the next five years, under the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act which will replace a 1957 legislation. The draft new MMDR Act has already been submitted to the Cabinet for its approval.
According to data available, between January 2006 and June 2009, nearly 80,000 cases of illegal mining activity were detected by state governments.
The new mining regime seeks to discourage illegal mining activities in a two-pronged way. Firstly, violators will have to face hefty fines and even imprisonment. Second, any company that has been subjected to action will lose its prospecting licence and banned from undertaking any mining activity from the next five years.
Going a step further, the draft new MMDR Act seeks to give the common citizen powers to complain against unlawful activity in mines. Moreover, to ensure speedy disposal of illegal mining cases, the new Act mandates setting-up of special courts by the state governments.
What are your major priorities at the moment?
In view of the role of the private sector as the main source of investment, we are making efforts towards the improvement of the regulatory environment and strengthening of IBM and states directorates of mining with manpower, equipment and skill sets necessary for the purpose.
Further, suitable legal measures are being taken to make the regulatory environment conducive to the private investment so as to attract large investments and high technology. We believe that all mining shall be undertaken within a Sustainable Development Framework which will address ecological as well as societal issues. The guiding principle is that the miner must leave the mining area in a better shape than he found it. GSI will be the principal agency for geological mapping and regional mineral resource assessment. GSI will ensure that projects and programmes are formulated inline with national policy goals, taking into account the exploration undertaken by the private sector.
What does “responsible mining without affecting the environment” mean?
The environment will always be affected by any human activity. What we are looking for is responsible mining, with the least environmental effects possible, via the use of technology, by adequate mining methods and evidently in terms of safety of workers and security and health of localised communities.
Has the Ministry taken any steps to promote collaboration in upgradation of mining technology?
Our Ministry has been interacting with major mining nations like Australia and Canada with a view to enter into fruitful collaboration in the mining sector which will, inter alia, help Indian organisations to upgrade the mining technology.
Recently, in September 2009, the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries organised an event in Bangalore which was sponsored by the Ministry and which included a trade show of mining and related equipment. CAMESE, a leading Canadian mining equipment manufacturer, participated in the show and has expressed interest in collaborating with the Indian Industry in manufacturing and technology sharing for production of advanced mining equipment.
What are the changes contemplated by the new Mining Law proposed by the Government?
Illegal activity in mines could mean cancellation of existing permits and debarment from undertaking any mining activity for the next five years, under the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act which will replace a 1957 legislation. The draft new MMDR Act has already been submitted to the Cabinet for its approval.
According to data available, between January 2006 and June 2009, nearly 80,000 cases of illegal mining activity were detected by state governments.
The new mining regime seeks to discourage illegal mining activities in a two-pronged way. Firstly, violators will have to face hefty fines and even imprisonment. Second, any company that has been subjected to action will lose its prospecting licence and banned from undertaking any mining activity from the next five years.
Going a step further, the draft new MMDR Act seeks to give the common citizen powers to complain against unlawful activity in mines. Moreover, to ensure speedy disposal of illegal mining cases, the new Act mandates setting-up of special courts by the state governments.
What are your major priorities at the moment?
In view of the role of the private sector as the main source of investment, we are making efforts towards the improvement of the regulatory environment and strengthening of IBM and states directorates of mining with manpower, equipment and skill sets necessary for the purpose.
Further, suitable legal measures are being taken to make the regulatory environment conducive to the private investment so as to attract large investments and high technology. We believe that all mining shall be undertaken within a Sustainable Development Framework which will address ecological as well as societal issues. The guiding principle is that the miner must leave the mining area in a better shape than he found it. GSI will be the principal agency for geological mapping and regional mineral resource assessment. GSI will ensure that projects and programmes are formulated inline with national policy goals, taking into account the exploration undertaken by the private sector.
What does “responsible mining without affecting the environment” mean?
The environment will always be affected by any human activity. What we are looking for is responsible mining, with the least environmental effects possible, via the use of technology, by adequate mining methods and evidently in terms of safety of workers and security and health of localised communities.
Has the Ministry taken any steps to promote collaboration in upgradation of mining technology?
Our Ministry has been interacting with major mining nations like Australia and Canada with a view to enter into fruitful collaboration in the mining sector which will, inter alia, help Indian organisations to upgrade the mining technology.
Recently, in September 2009, the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries organised an event in Bangalore which was sponsored by the Ministry and which included a trade show of mining and related equipment. CAMESE, a leading Canadian mining equipment manufacturer, participated in the show and has expressed interest in collaborating with the Indian Industry in manufacturing and technology sharing for production of advanced mining equipment.
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