Tender Invited for Sea Sand Mining
COAL & MINING

Tender Invited for Sea Sand Mining

The Central Government has launched the first tranche of auction of 13 offshore blocks on 28.11.2024 for grant of composite licence, i.e. exploration licence-cum-production lease, in accordance with the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002.

Before notifying the above blocks in offshore areas, the Central Government had consulted several key Ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, among others, as mandated under Rule 5 of the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules (OAORR), 2024.

Further, the preferred bidder, selected in auction (or tendering) process, becomes entitled to grant of composite licence, subject to fulfilment of various conditions under the Act and the Rules made thereunder. As per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024, before execution of an operating right (i.e. exploration licence, production lease, etc.), the bidders are required to obtain all consents, approvals, permits, no-objections and the like as may be required under applicable laws for commencement of exploration or production operations. Approval of exploration plan and production plan are some of the necessary clearances. Thus, auction is only a first step, and the preferred bidder cannot commence exploration or production before obtaining the necessary clearances and the licence or lease, as the case may be.

There are adequate provisions in the Act and the Rules made thereunder to safeguard ecology, bio-diversity and protecting the interests of fishermen. As per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, no production operations shall be undertaken except in accordance with a production plan. The production plan, inter-alia, includes environment management plan indicating baseline information, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and mitigation measures. Comprehensive provisions are available under the Act and the Rules to carry out EIA before commencing production to safeguard environment, biodiversity and the interest of fishing community. Approval of production plan is necessary before grant of production lease.

In case of auction of a mineral block onshore also, the EIA is carried out by the project proponent (preferred bidder) only under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 as EIA and mitigation measures depend on various factors, such as, mining method proposed, geology and mineral occurrence in the block, machines and infrastructure proposed in the block, etc. Similar provisions have been made in the Offshore Area (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 and Rules made thereunder. Adequate safeguards are in place against any manipulation by the project proponents while carrying out EIA.

In view of above, need for reviewing the mining tender process does not arise.

News source: PIB

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

The Central Government has launched the first tranche of auction of 13 offshore blocks on 28.11.2024 for grant of composite licence, i.e. exploration licence-cum-production lease, in accordance with the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002. Before notifying the above blocks in offshore areas, the Central Government had consulted several key Ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, among others, as mandated under Rule 5 of the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules (OAORR), 2024. Further, the preferred bidder, selected in auction (or tendering) process, becomes entitled to grant of composite licence, subject to fulfilment of various conditions under the Act and the Rules made thereunder. As per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024, before execution of an operating right (i.e. exploration licence, production lease, etc.), the bidders are required to obtain all consents, approvals, permits, no-objections and the like as may be required under applicable laws for commencement of exploration or production operations. Approval of exploration plan and production plan are some of the necessary clearances. Thus, auction is only a first step, and the preferred bidder cannot commence exploration or production before obtaining the necessary clearances and the licence or lease, as the case may be. There are adequate provisions in the Act and the Rules made thereunder to safeguard ecology, bio-diversity and protecting the interests of fishermen. As per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024, no production operations shall be undertaken except in accordance with a production plan. The production plan, inter-alia, includes environment management plan indicating baseline information, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and mitigation measures. Comprehensive provisions are available under the Act and the Rules to carry out EIA before commencing production to safeguard environment, biodiversity and the interest of fishing community. Approval of production plan is necessary before grant of production lease. In case of auction of a mineral block onshore also, the EIA is carried out by the project proponent (preferred bidder) only under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 as EIA and mitigation measures depend on various factors, such as, mining method proposed, geology and mineral occurrence in the block, machines and infrastructure proposed in the block, etc. Similar provisions have been made in the Offshore Area (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 and Rules made thereunder. Adequate safeguards are in place against any manipulation by the project proponents while carrying out EIA. In view of above, need for reviewing the mining tender process does not arise. News source: PIB

Next Story
Real Estate

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?