Lok Sabha Question No. 663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Future of Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Amar Singh

663. DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a)  the  steps  being  taken  with  regard  to  modern  mine  planning  software  and  mine mechanisation  which  would  play  a  crucial  role  in  the  operation  of  future  mining operations and projects;

(b)  the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  all  mining companies are strongly committed to sustainability and work for a better tomorrow;

(c)  whether  the  practices  of  environment  and  social  impact  monitoring  and  auditing, community  consultation,  engagement  and  protection,  concurrent  and  mine  closure practices are bound to weigh heavily in any advanced mining operations of the future, if so, the efforts made/to be made by the Government in this regard; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  lay  emphasis  on  embracing  eco-friendly technical advancements from planning to operational stages of mining, which would be paramount for sustaining the desired GDP growth of our country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)  Use  of  Geographic  Information  System  (GIS)  software,  application  of  Artificial intelligence  and  remote  sensing  technology  will  play  important  role  in  future  mining operations  for  more  scientific,  systematic  and  safe  mining  operations.  Government  of India is promoting use of such technology in mining sector.

Emphasis is being laid on mechanisation, computerisation, automation and adoption of state of the art technology in the existing and new mining units. To meet the objective of safety  and  economic  production,  attention  is  being  given  to  modern  technology.

(b) There are provisions for sustainable mining in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, (MCDR) 2017. MCDR, 2017 provides for star rating of the mines based on the implementation of sustainable mining practices in the mining lease area. Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) (A Subordinate Office of Ministry of Mines) monitors the sustainable development in mining sector through star rating system, which is designed and developed as an online system for evaluation of sustainable mining. This is an online system comprising of three layers viz. self assessment, validation and auditing.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 663

ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## FUTURE OF MINING

National Mineral Policy 2019 also provides that all mining shall be undertaken within the parameters of a comprehensive Sustainable Development Framework which will ensure that  environmental,  economic  and  social  considerations  are  integrated  effectively  in mining. (c) The  above  aspects  have  been  covered  under  the  four  modules  of  Star  Rating template  for  assessment.  Government  has  strengthened  its  implementation  through Rule 35 of MCDR 2017.

(d) Yes, Sir. Government of India has taken care of all these aspects and already put in place a  comprehensive  Sustainable  Mining  framework  for  Indian  mining  sector, ensuring optimal  mineral extraction with due conservation of minerals, systematic and scientific mining and protection of environment for sustaining the desired GDP growth of our country.

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