+
India Moves Barytes, Felspar, Mica from Minor to Major Minerals
COAL & MINING

India Moves Barytes, Felspar, Mica from Minor to Major Minerals

The Ministry of Mines has announced, through a gazette notification dated 20th February, 2025, that Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz will be shifted from the minor minerals category to major minerals. This significant move follows the approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission by the Union Cabinet on 29th January, 2025, which aims to enhance the exploration and mining of critical minerals within India. The mission also focuses on recovering these minerals from mines of other minerals, overburden, and tailings, thereby increasing the country’s self-sufficiency in strategic materials.

The transition of these minerals to major status is seen as an essential step to strengthen the nation’s mineral security and encourage scientific mining. Quartz, Felspar, and Mica are commonly found in pegmatite rocks, which serve as important sources for several critical minerals, including Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, and Tungsten. These minerals play vital roles in emerging technologies, including energy transition, spacecraft industries, and the healthcare sector, among others. However, under the previous classification as minor minerals, mining operations focused on construction materials like glass and ceramics, overlooking the extraction of critical minerals such as Lithium and Beryl, which are essential for modern technological applications.

The case of Barytes is equally compelling. Barytes is crucial for a wide array of industrial applications, including oil and gas drilling, electronics, TV screens, rubber, glass, ceramics, paint, radiation shielding, and medical applications. Notably, Barytes is used to produce high-density concrete that blocks X-ray emissions in hospitals, power plants, and laboratories. It often occurs alongside ores of Antimony, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, and Silver. Mining Barytes often results in the inevitable extraction of these associated minerals, especially when mining operations occur in areas with significant mineral overlap. Thus, the reclassification is expected to foster more efficient and integrated extraction practices.

The reclassification was recommended by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Mines & Minerals, chaired by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, following extensive deliberations. The committee identified the urgent need to bring these minerals under better regulation to enable comprehensive exploration and mining. By shifting them to the major minerals category, the government anticipates increased investment in the extraction of critical minerals and enhanced exploration techniques.

The reclassification will not adversely affect the existing leases of these minerals. As major minerals, their leases will now be extended to a period of 50 years from the date of grant, or until the completion of the renewal period, whichever is later, in accordance with Section 8A of the MMDR Act, 1957. Additionally, the revenue generated from these minerals will continue to be accrued to the State Government as before. A transition period has been granted until 30th June, 2025, for the necessary registration of these mines with the Indian Bureau of Mines. During this period, existing operations will be subject to the regulatory framework for major minerals.

The shift of these minerals to the major category is expected to have profound implications for India's mining and mineral industries. By increasing the regulatory oversight and formalisation of the mining process, this reclassification paves the way for improved exploration technologies, better resource management, and heightened environmental accountability. Additionally, the increased focus on critical minerals like Lithium, which are essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors, will significantly contribute to India’s growing role in the global green economy.

This move also aligns with India’s broader efforts to reduce reliance on imported minerals and improve the self-sufficiency of its critical mineral supply chains. The increased emphasis on sustainable and scientifically managed mining will not only bolster the country’s technological and industrial sectors but also provide a boost to local economies, particularly in mining regions, through job creation and infrastructure development.

The Ministry of Mines has announced, through a gazette notification dated 20th February, 2025, that Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz will be shifted from the minor minerals category to major minerals. This significant move follows the approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission by the Union Cabinet on 29th January, 2025, which aims to enhance the exploration and mining of critical minerals within India. The mission also focuses on recovering these minerals from mines of other minerals, overburden, and tailings, thereby increasing the country’s self-sufficiency in strategic materials. The transition of these minerals to major status is seen as an essential step to strengthen the nation’s mineral security and encourage scientific mining. Quartz, Felspar, and Mica are commonly found in pegmatite rocks, which serve as important sources for several critical minerals, including Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, and Tungsten. These minerals play vital roles in emerging technologies, including energy transition, spacecraft industries, and the healthcare sector, among others. However, under the previous classification as minor minerals, mining operations focused on construction materials like glass and ceramics, overlooking the extraction of critical minerals such as Lithium and Beryl, which are essential for modern technological applications. The case of Barytes is equally compelling. Barytes is crucial for a wide array of industrial applications, including oil and gas drilling, electronics, TV screens, rubber, glass, ceramics, paint, radiation shielding, and medical applications. Notably, Barytes is used to produce high-density concrete that blocks X-ray emissions in hospitals, power plants, and laboratories. It often occurs alongside ores of Antimony, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, and Silver. Mining Barytes often results in the inevitable extraction of these associated minerals, especially when mining operations occur in areas with significant mineral overlap. Thus, the reclassification is expected to foster more efficient and integrated extraction practices. The reclassification was recommended by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Mines & Minerals, chaired by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, following extensive deliberations. The committee identified the urgent need to bring these minerals under better regulation to enable comprehensive exploration and mining. By shifting them to the major minerals category, the government anticipates increased investment in the extraction of critical minerals and enhanced exploration techniques. The reclassification will not adversely affect the existing leases of these minerals. As major minerals, their leases will now be extended to a period of 50 years from the date of grant, or until the completion of the renewal period, whichever is later, in accordance with Section 8A of the MMDR Act, 1957. Additionally, the revenue generated from these minerals will continue to be accrued to the State Government as before. A transition period has been granted until 30th June, 2025, for the necessary registration of these mines with the Indian Bureau of Mines. During this period, existing operations will be subject to the regulatory framework for major minerals. The shift of these minerals to the major category is expected to have profound implications for India's mining and mineral industries. By increasing the regulatory oversight and formalisation of the mining process, this reclassification paves the way for improved exploration technologies, better resource management, and heightened environmental accountability. Additionally, the increased focus on critical minerals like Lithium, which are essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors, will significantly contribute to India’s growing role in the global green economy. This move also aligns with India’s broader efforts to reduce reliance on imported minerals and improve the self-sufficiency of its critical mineral supply chains. The increased emphasis on sustainable and scientifically managed mining will not only bolster the country’s technological and industrial sectors but also provide a boost to local economies, particularly in mining regions, through job creation and infrastructure development.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Vizhinjam Port Rail Link Tender to Be Issued Shortly

A key rail project connecting Vizhinjam port to the national railway grid is nearing approval, with tenders expected to be issued within 10 days. This railway link aims to attract cargo from states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, turning Vizhinjam into a cargo gateway rather than just a transshipment hub.Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) has formed a review committee to finalise the draft tender submitted by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL). The tender is likely to be published in August, and contracts are expected to be awarded by November. The 10.7..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

IRCON-JPWIPL JV Wins Rs 7.55 Bn Rail Contract in MP

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has awarded a Letter of Acceptance to the joint venture between IRCON International Ltd. and JPWIPL for executing civil works on a new broad-gauge railway line between Pipaliya Nankar (excluding) and Budni (including), in Madhya Pradesh. The project falls under the Indore–Budni section of the West Central Railway zone and is valued at Rs 755.78 crore.The contract’s scope includes construction of the roadbed, minor bridges, buildings, installation of railway tracks (excluding rails, sleepers, and thick web switches), as well as other civil engineering and gen..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Rs 800 Bn Railway Projects Progressing in Odisha

Railway projects exceeding Rs 80,000 crore are currently underway in Odisha, according to Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna. He stated that Rs 10,599 crore was allocated to the state in the 2025-26 Union Budget, marking a 12.5-fold increase from Rs 838 crore allocated during 2009–14.The Minister conducted a detailed inspection of the redevelopment work at Bhubaneswar railway station. East Coast Railway’s General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal joined him during the visit. Somanna said the Bhubaneswar station redevelopment, being carried out under the 'Amrit Bharat Station' scheme, ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?