MP Has Done Commendable Work in Reopening Closed Mines: Union Mining Secretary Shri Goyal

Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, has praised Madhya Pradesh for its commendable work in reviving closed mines and for its outstanding performance in the auction of mineral blocks. Union Secretary Shri Goyal was addressing a review meeting on the operation of major mineral blocks held at Hotel Taj Lakefront, Bhopal.

Union Secretary Shri Goyal directed that before auctioning any block, a committee comprising officials from the Forest, Revenue, and Mineral Resources departments, chaired by the District Collector, should be formed at the district level to examine the land included in the proposed blocks. This measure aims to address statutory challenges prior to the auction process.

Union Secretary Shri Goyal held detailed discussions with successful bidders regarding the initiation of mining operations. He offered suggestions to resolve difficulties faced in obtaining statutory clearances and shared updates on the policy-level initiatives being undertaken by the Government of India. Union Shri Goyal said that efforts are ongoing to minimise delays in approvals for mining operations, though successful bidders must also expedite processes at their level. He stated that a meeting will soon be convened with the Ministry of Environment and Forests to address procedural hurdles in obtaining forest clearances, ensuring benefits for all successful bidders.

Principal Secretary, Mineral Resources, MP, Shri Umakant Umrao, informed the meeting that MP has successfully auctioned 118 major mineral blocks under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and related provisions. Currently, mining operations have commenced in six mining lease blocks and twelve composite license blocks.

The state government continues to closely monitor progress in the remaining blocks to ensure early commencement of operations. He further informed that the Mineral Resources Department has organized a workshop to provide detailed guidance to successful bidders on applying for and completing requirements related to statutory permissions. The workshop was attended by successful bidders, Recognised Qualified Persons, environmental consultants, representatives of the Forest Department, Indian Bureau of Mines, and SBI CAP.

Principal Secretary Shri Umrao highlighted that the state’s sustained efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in the time required to obtain statutory clearances for mining operations, including the issuance of Letters of Intent, submission & approval of mining plans and processing of Terms of Reference for environmental clearances. He stated that regular discussions are being held personally with successful bidders to resolve administrative or procedural challenges.

The review meeting was attended by Director (Administration and Mining) Shri Frank Noble, PCCF Shri Manoj Agrawal, Secretary (Environment) Shri Atul Mishra, Member Secretary MP Pollution Control Board Shri Deepak Arya, along with officials from the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Environment, successful bidders, their representatives and officers of the Mineral Resources Department.