The Ministry of Mines has issued amendments to the Mineral Concession Rules, which allows for the inclusion of contiguous areas and associated minerals in a mining lease. The amended rules provide simple and time-bound provisions for processing applications made by the holder of a mining lease or composite license for deep-seated minerals, seeking a one-time extension to include a contiguous area.
The Ministry of Mines stated that the rules also specify the process for including any other mineral, including a minor mineral, in a mining lease. It also mandates that the State Government must permit such inclusion within 30 days of the application. The Ministry further clarified that the amendment also provides the process for including major minerals in a lease granted for a minor mineral, which was executed before the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2025.
