Lok Sabha Question No. 2861 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Mining Activity in Rajasthan
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2861

ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## MINING ACTIVITY IN RAJASTHAN

2861. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the current status of mineral exploration and mining activities being undertaken in Rajasthan especially in Rajsamand district along with a list of minerals being explored or extracted;
- (b)  the  steps  being  taken  to  attract  private  and  public  sector  investment  in  critical mineral mining especially Rajsamand in Rajasthan;
- (c) whether the Government is considering Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief or rationalisation  measures  to  support  mining  operations  in  districts  like  Rajsamand which have significant mineral deposits and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  the  steps  being  taken  to  improve  infrastructure,  environmental  safeguards  and local employment opportunities in mineral-rich areas of Rajasthan like Rajsamand as part of a sustainable mining strategy?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines has taken up 79 mineral exploration projects in different parts of Rajasthan during the current field season 2025-26. Out of these, six mineral exploration projects have been taken up in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan. The mineral-wise and location-wise details of these six projects are given in Annexure.  Further, one mineral exploration project for Rare Earth Elements (REE) & associated minerals (G3) has also been taken up in Borana  block,  Rajsamand  district  through  funding  by  National  Mineral  Exploration Trust (NMET).

As regards the status of mining activities in Rajasthan, a total of 3008 mining leases are located in the State of Rajasthan out of which 1728 are working and 1280 are nonworking.  In  Rajsamand  district,  Rajasthan,  there  are  778  mines  out  of  which,  427 mines are currently working, while 351 are non-working. Among these 778 mines, three are for Lead Zinc (two working and one non-working), one is a Garnet mine (working),  and  the  remaining  774  mines  are  related  to  Quartz,  Feldspar  (Felspar), Mica, and Barytes.

(b):  In  order  to  attract  private  and  public  sector  investment  in  critical  mineral exploration in the country, including Rajasthan, the following incentives are provided through National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET):

- (i) 100% funding  for mineral exploration projects of exploration agencies.
- (ii)  Support  for  holders  of Exploration  Licenses and   Composite  Licenses by   reimbursing  exploration   expenses   upto  50%   of   the  total   expenditure incurred.
- (iii) Exploration incentive of 25% of the approved projects cost of the G4 items for critical, strategic and deep-seated minerals to the exploration agencies if the block is successfully auctioned or upgraded to G3 stage.
- (c): The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and exemptions are prescribed on the recommendation of the GST Council, a constitutional body having representation of Centre  and  the  States/Union  Territories.  The  Council  has  no  recommendation  on considering GST relief or rationalisation measures to support mining.
- (d): The steps being taken to improve infrastructure, environmental  safeguards, and local employment opportunities in mineral-rich areas of  Rajasthan like Rajsamand as part of a sustainable mining strategy are as follows:
- (i)  Steps for improvement of infrastructure facilities - construction of Village Roads, Community Centers, Drains, drinking water, school classrooms, digitization of schools, renovation etc.
- (ii) Steps for environmental  safeguards - continuous environmental monitoring of Air, Water, Noise, Vibration and real-time reporting of the parameters to Central Pollution Control  Board/  State  Pollution  Control  Board,  plantation  of  trees,  water  recycling through sewage treatment plant, use of battery electric vehicle with an aim to reduce carbon footprints of mines, Greenbelt development around the mining lease.
- (iii)  Steps  for  local  employment  opportunities  -  local  manpower  employment  in  the working mines in Rajsamand district, conducting various skill development programs, focus on increasing the income of the farming community through sustainable farm practices,  animal  health  camps  conducted  in  collaboration  with  Animal  Husbandry Department.

Further,  the  District  Mineral  Foundations  (DMFs)  established  under  the  MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, channel a portion of mining revenues into local development projects in various districts of Rajasthan, including Rajsamand, focusing on health, education, drinking water, and livelihood generation.

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## Annexure

## The District-wise and Mineral-wise details of mineral exploration projects taken up by GSI in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan during field season 2025-26

| District                      | Location of Mineral Block/ Area   | UNFC stage   | Mineral                   |
|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------|---------------------------|
| Rajsamand                     | Rajnagar-Morchana-Banai           | G4           | Copper                    |
| Rajsamand                     | Khempur-Charana                   | G4           | Copper                    |
| Rajsamand                     | Deogarh-Anjana-Lasani             | G4           | REE, RM (Rare Metals)     |
| Rajsamand and Chittorgarh     | Bhupalsagar                       | G4           | Copper                    |
| Rajsamand and Udaipur         | Pasun                             | G4           | Rare Earth Elements (REE) |
| Rajsamand, Ajmer and Bhilwara | Ramgarh - Kheri Ka Khera -Patan   | G4           | REE                       |