class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The Ministry of Coal on May 29, 2020 has published the Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2020 to further amend the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.
The amendments are as follows:-
1. It made some changes in definitions like for the words “and mining leases”, the words “mining leases and prospecting licence-cum-mining leases” shall be substituted.
2. It also prescribes that no mining operations shall be undertaken except in accordance with the mining plan.
3. It says that on and from the commencement of the Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2020, conduct of prospecting operations and preparation of geological report in respect of any area containing coal or lignite shall be governed by the provisions of the chapter on geological reports.
4. A new sub-rule 24(6) has been inserted, stating that the State Government shall examine an application for grant of mining lease and pass an order in writing for disposal of such application.
5. A new sub-rule 24A(2) has been inserted, stating that if an application for renewal of a mining lease made within the time referred to in sub-rule (1) is not disposed of by the State Government before the date of expiry of the lease, the period of that lease shall be deemed to have been extended by a period of two years or till the State Government passes order thereon, whichever is earlier.
6. The amendment also prescribes an insertion in chapter IV containing a detailed procedure for obtaining prospecting licence-cum-mining lease of coal and lignite in respect of land in which the minerals vest in the government.
7. The amendment also provides for insertion “Form Q which is the model form application for grant of prospecting licence-cum-mining lease.
[Notification No. G.S.R. 331(E)]
