Lok Sabha Question No. 524 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Reclamation Work of Expire Mines
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †524

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## RECLAMATION WORK OF EXPIRE MINES

†524. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  several  mines  in  various  mining  areas  of  Rajasthan  have  neither  been subjected to earth filling nor had reclamation work has been undertaken even after the expiry of the lease-period leading to rainwater logging and severe threats of impending accidents, if so, the details thereof; (b)  whether the incidents  like  collapse of  the  closed down  mines,  water-logging  and falling of the cattle-breeders have constantly been reported in several districts including Makrana in Rajasthan; (c)  if  so,  the  number of such incidents reported during  the last three years including action taken thereon; (d) whether there is clear mention in the lease agreements that on the expiry of the lease
- period the mine shall be made safe be filing it with soil, debris and stones; and (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) As per the information provided by the Government of Rajasthan, one case of soil collapse in the closed quarry area has been reported in Makrana Tehsil, DidwanaKuchaman District in the last three years. No human or animal loss occurred in this incident.

(d) & (e) In respect of major minerals, the 'Terms and Conditions of a Mining Lease' is prescribed under Rule 12 of the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals)  Concession Rules,  2016  [MCR, 2016].  As  per  Rule  12(1)(m)  of  the  MCR, 2016, the lessee shall restore, to the extent possible, the landform affected by the mining operations.  Further,  Mineral  Conservation  and  Development  Rules,  2017  prescribe provisions  for  systematic  and  scientific  development  and  provisions  for  closure, reclamation and rehabilitation.

Further, there is a condition 3.2(iv) of 'Rights and Obligations' of Mining Lease under Schedule VII of the MCR, 2016 which provides that the lessee shall take measures, at his own expense, for the protection of environment like planting of trees, reclamation of mined  land,  use  of  pollution-control  devices,  and  such  other  measures  as  may  be prescribed by the Central or State Government from time to time.

Further, as per the information provided by the Government of Rajasthan, in respect of minor minerals, there is a provision under Rule 29(13) of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession  Rule,  2017  for  reclamation  in  accordance  with  the  approved  final  mine closure plan.  In  an  expired  mining  lease,  if  the  lessee  fails  to  initiate  reclamation  in accordance with the approved final mine closure plan, the financial assurance submitted by  the  lessee  may  be  forfeited  under  Rule  29(18)  of  the  Rajasthan  Minor  Mineral Concession Rules, 2017. But if the availability of minerals is proved in the expired mining lease, then there is a provision to auction that area again as per the rules.

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