Lok Sabha Question No. 5115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Mining Tenement System
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Kartick Chandra Paul

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5115

ANSWERED ON 02.04.2025

## MINING TENEMENT SYSTEM

## 5115. SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH: SHRI KARTICK CHANDRA PAUL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the key recommendations made by the Government in the comprehensive report on States Best Practices in mining;
- (b) the main objectives of the newly launched Mining Tenement System (MTS);
- (c) the impact of the adoption of best mining practices is likely to have on small and medium scale mining operations; and
- (d) the manner in which the Conference thereon contributes to Indian's long term goal of achieving self-sufficiency in critical minerals?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The comprehensive report on States Best Practices in Mining documents the best practices adopted by various States in mineral administration to promote peer learning among the States and contribute to the overall growth of the mining sector. The key recommendations made in the report, focusing on improving exploration efficiency, promoting sustainability, simplifying regulations, and enhancing community benefits, inter-alia include  streamlining  mining  clearances  and  approvals,  integration  of exploration  data  with  National  Geoscience  Data  Repository,  Star  Rating  for  minor minerals,  strengthening  State  Directorates  of  Mining  and  Geology  for  building technical capacity, operationalization of auctioned mineral blocks, adoption of Mining Surveillance System (MSS) and Mining Tenement System (MTS) for minor minerals to  curb  illegal  mining,  and  creation  of  land  banks  to  facilitate  compensatory afforestation.
- (b) The main objectives of the newly launched Mining Tenement System (MTS) are to digitize & streamline the mining related processes, enhance transparency, facilitate better  data  management,  enhance  collaboration  among  stakeholders,  provide  a flexible  system  to  accommodate  future  technology  advancements  and  improve efficiency of mineral resource management.

(c) By adopting best mining practices, small and medium scale mining operations in India can increase their competitiveness & operational efficiency, ensure sustainability, and hence, lead to overall growth of mining sector.

(d) The 3 rd  National Mining Ministers' Conference, held in January 2025, was attended by  the  Mining  Ministers  from  mineral-rich  States,  industry  leaders,  and  other  key stakeholders. A major focus was on the National Critical Mineral Mission, which aims at securing long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthening India's critical  mineral  value  chains,  encompassing  all  stages  from  mineral  exploration, mining, processing and recycling. During the Conference, State Governments were encouraged  to  take  proactive  steps  to  promote  exploration,  mining,  processing, Research & Development (R&D) in critical minerals, fast-track the operationalization of  auctioned  mines,  integrate  exploration  data  into  the  National  Geoscience  Data Repository and encourage industries to acquire and bring critical minerals from abroad to strengthen domestic supply. The Conference also marked the launch of auction of the  fifth  tranche  of  15  critical  mineral  blocks  across  eight  States  including  critical minerals like Graphite, Tungsten, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and Nickel. These initiatives are intended to build and strengthen domestic supply chains and contribute to India's long-term goal of achieving self-sufficiency in critical minerals.

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