The Parliament on August 09, 2023, published the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 to further amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
The following has been amended namely: -
• In section 3 which states “Definitions”
(i) After clause (aa), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:—
'(aaa) "exploration licence" means a licence granted for undertaking reconnaissance operations or prospecting operations or both in respect of minerals specified in the Seventh Schedule;'
(ii) in clause (ae), after the words "composite licence", the words ", exploration licence" shall be inserted
(iii) for clause (ha), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:—
'(ha) "reconnaissance operations" means any operations undertaken for preliminary prospecting of a mineral through regional, aerial, geophysical or geochemical surveys and geological mapping, and include pitting, trenching, drilling and sub-surface excavation.
• In section 4 which states “Prospecting or mining operations to be under licence or lease” in sub-section (1) after the words "prospecting licence", the words "or of an exploration licence" shall be inserted.
• In section 5 which states “Restrictions on the grant of prospecting licences or mining leases” for the marginal heading, the following marginal heading shall be substituted, namely:— "Restrictions on the grant of mineral concession.".
• In Chapter III which states “Procedure For Obtaining Prospecting Licences Or Mining Leases In Respect Of Land In Which The Minerals Vest In The Government” for Chapter heading, the following Chapter heading shall be substituted, namely:—
"Procedure for Obtaining Mineral Concession in Respect of Land in Which the Minerals Vest in The Government".
[Notification No. 16 OF 2023]
