Lok Sabha Question No. 2390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Rehabilitation of Mine Sites
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2390 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  MAY, 2016

## REHABILITATION OF MINE SITES

## †2390. DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note/received reports from Jharkhand that holes are not filled by the Mining companies after mining work is over;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  corrective  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal/proposes to return the mining area land to their owners for its proper utilization; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  thereto  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a): The Central Government has not received any specific information in respect of Jharkhand that holes are not filled by the mining companies after mining work is over.

However,  the  Mineral  Conservation  and  Development  Rules  ( MCDR ),  1988  have provisions for restoration and rehabilitation of mining areas affected by mining activities, which is a continuous process. As per rule 23A of MCDR, 1988 every mine shall have a progressive mine closure plan and a final mine closure plan. The 'progressive mine closure plan' means a progressive  plan,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  protective,  reclamation  and  rehabilitation measures  in  a  mine.  The  'final  mine  closure  plan'  means  a  plan  for  the  purpose  of decommissioning, reclamation and rehabilitation in the mine or part thereof after cessation of mining and mineral processing operations.

As per rule 23 (5) of MCDR, 1988, the leaseholder shall not abandon a mine unless a final mine closure plan is implemented. For this purpose, the lessee shall be required to obtain a certificate from the Regional Controller of Mines of Indian Bureau of Mines (an attached office of the Ministry of Mines) or the officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf to the effect  that  protective,  reclamation  and  rehabilitation  work  in  accordance  with  the  final  mine closure plan have been carried out before abandonment of mine.

Further,  as  per  rule  23F  (5)  of  MCDR,  1988,  if  the  reclamation  and  rehabilitation measures  as  envisaged  in  the  approved  mine  closure  plan,  in  respect  of  which  a  financial assurance  is  given,  have  not  been  carried  out  in  accordance  with  the  mine  closure  plan,  the financial assurance can be forfeited.

(b):  Does not arise in view of the reply given to (a) above.

(c)  &  (d):  in  respect  of  land  which  belongs  to  a  private  owner,  the  consent  of  the  owner  for starting mining operations is required to be obtained before entry into the area.

After  completion  of  mining  operations  and  after  the protective,  reclamation  and rehabilitation work has been carried out in accordance with the final mine closure plan, the land is surrendered to the owner.

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