Govt inks MoUs with different nations for mining sector development

25 Mar 2022 CW Team

The Government of India’s Ministry of Mines has signed several memorandum of understandings (MoU) with the different nations for mining sector development.

The MoU was signed with Kingdom of Morocco, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Federative Republic of Brazil, British Columbia, the Florida International University Board of Trustees on behalf of its Department of Earth and Environment, Arts, Sciences and Education, Rosgeologia (Rosgeo), the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Peru, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Republic of Chile, United States of America, and Rosgeologia (Rosgeo).

The Ministry of Mines via making provisions under the Chapter-V, Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), of 2017, implemented sustainable mining. MCDR- Rule 35 provides for a mining leases star rating based on the sustainable mining practices adopted by different miners.

Under MCDR Rule 35(2), 2017 the star rating is made mandatory and the mining leaseholders have to submit an online self-assessment report before the 1st day of July annually for the previous financial year. Furthermore as per rule 34A of the said rules it is mandatory to submit the mining lease area digital images to the Regional Controller or the authorised officer of the Indian Bureau of Mines.

According to MCDR Rule 35(4), 2017 mining leaseholders shall achieve at least a three-star rating in a four-year period from the date of commencement of mining operations, also maintain it on yearly basis.

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