All bodes well15 May 2019 18:19
A new National Mineral Policy
Another significant driver for change in India is the National Mineral Policy (NMP), a directive released in 2019 that will govern the country’s mining sector, and replaces the 2008 version of the policy that has been in place for the last decade. The NMP grants states some powers with regard to mineral exploration and permitting, but stresses that local governments are encouraged to “endeavour to auction mineral blocks with pre-embedded statutory clearances” in order to avoid delays in the process of mine permitting and construction.
As a result, the NMP could be described as company-friendly, with an emphasis on streamlining the permitting and construction processes. The document introduces “triggers at higher level in the event of delay”, enabling decision-makers to expedite the permitting process if it is being delayed. The clause highlights the apparent importance of ensuring mining work begins quickly, rather than necessarily once thorough environmental assessments have been completed.
The new law also designated mineral-rich areas as “Mining Land,” which are to be reserved for mineral development, enabling companies to quickly build mines without obstacles. However, the policy also applies to deposits that have been claimed and on which mining work has not yet begun. This raises the possibility of miners claiming large swathes of land for themselves, with the stated intention of developing them in the near future, but without a legal timeframe within which to develop the land. The policy places a lot of trust in both private companies and, where applicable, government bodies tasked to develop mining projects, to develop the land responsible and in a timely fashion.
https://www.mining-technology.com/features/mining-in-india-future/
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