Lok Sabha Question No. 759 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Sustainable Mining
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Smt. Malvika Devi

## 759. SMT. MALVIKA DEVI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Member of Parliament or any other public representative is a part of the process during the Gram Sabha being held before the permission of mining, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to monitor that the miners are also promoting forestation and working for the development of the Mining area and the forests  also  including  the  serious  punishments  or  penalties  imposed  on  the  mine owners who violates and does not follow the rules for protection of mines and forests; and
- (c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to ensure safe mining and reduce pollution caused by mining?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Wherever forest land is involved, or acquisition of land is required for mining purposes, public hearing as required under relevant laws takes place. As per existing law,  before  execution  of  the  mining  lease,  it  is  mandatory  to  obtain  the  requisite statutory  clearances  from  various  departments  of  the  Central  Government  and respective  State  Governments,  including  Forest  Clearance.  As  part  of  the  Forest Clearance, the prospective lessee has to undertake compensatory afforestation in lieu of the diversion of forest land for mining. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act,  1957  (MMDR Act) and the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam,  1980  and  Rules  framed  thereunder  stipulate  the  penal  provisions  for violation of the rules for protection of mines and forests.
- (c): The Central Government has enacted the Mines Act, 1952 to ensure occupational safety & health of mine workers. Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Ministry of  Labour  and  Employment  has been entrusted the task  of  inspection of mines  to ensure the compliance of the provisions of Mines Act, 1952 and rules and regulations framed thereunder for enhancing the safety of mine workers.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 759

ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## SUSTAINABLE MINING

Ministry of Mines has implemented Sustainable Mining Practices by making provisions under  Chapter-V of  Mineral  Conservation  and  Development  Rules  (MCDR),  2017. Provisions have been incorporated in the rules for precaution against air pollution, prevention of discharge of toxic liquid, precaution against noise, control of surface subsidence, etc.

Rule 35 of MCDR, 2017 provides for star rating of the mining leases based on the sustainable  mining  practices  adopted  by  the  miners.  The  star  rating  scheme  is designed  to  have  an  inbuilt  compliance  mechanism  for  environment  and  forest safeguards and has been helpful in recognizing good performers in the sector while encouraging all mining lease holders to strive for excellence.

Further, as per Rule 35 (4) of MCDR, 2017, every holder of a mining lease is mandated to  achieve  at  least  three-star  rating  within  a  period  of  four  years  from  the  date  of commencement of mining operations and thereafter maintain the same on year-onyear basis.

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