The Ministry of Mines has clarified that recent media reports claiming the Union Government has allowed private sector participation in the exploration and mining of atomic minerals such as uranium and thorium in offshore regions are misleading and factually incorrect.

The Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025, notified on 14 July 2025, outline that only the Government, Government-owned companies, or corporations are eligible for operating rights related to atomic minerals. These rules do not permit private entities to undertake exploration or mining activities in this domain.

This framework is consistent with the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2023, which amended the original 2002 Act and came into effect on 17 August 2023. As per the first proviso to Section 6 of the amended Act, atomic minerals listed in Part B of the First Schedule to the MMDR Act, 1957, can only be explored and mined by the Government or its undertakings, and only under specific conditions and threshold values notified by the Centre.

Section 35 of the OAMDR Act, 2002 empowers the Central Government to formulate rules for the Act’s implementation. The 2025 rules were framed in consultation with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the nodal authority for regulating atomic minerals.

The Ministry stressed that atomic mineral exploration and mining remains strictly regulated due to national security and strategic concerns. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and adherence to the legislative framework governing atomic minerals in India.