Ministry of Mines has announced the National Mineral Policy 2019 (“NMP 2019”) in March, 2019 which replaced the National Mineral Policy 2008. Subsequently, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) 1957 was amended in the years 2020 and 2021.

The objectives of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020 is to allow State Governments to take advance action for auction of mineral blocks before the expiry of lease period and to allow transfer of statutory clearances, permissions etc. to a new lessee facilitate seamless continuity of mining operations. Further, the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 inter alia provides for increasing mineral production and time bound operationalisation of mines, increasing employment and investment in the mining sector, maintaining continuity in mining operations after change of lessee, increasing the pace of exploration and auction of mineral resources and resolving long pending issues that have slowed the growth of the sector. These reforms will ensure self sufficiency in mineral requirement of the country.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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