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CONTENT

PAGES

1. Abbreviations ………………………………………….…………… ………3

2. Introduction………………………………..……………………….............….4

3.Types Of Mineral Resources Present In India.......................................................5

4. Mineral Sector Overview…………………………………………………..…11

5. Legal and Regulatory Framework for Mining and mineral extraction and Key
Issues ………………………………………………………………………...….16

6. . Taxation and royalties…………...………........................................................24

7. Recommendations and Suggestion …………….…………………….…..….26

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Abbreviations

CL Composite License

CRIRSCO Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards

DMF District Mineral Foundation

FDI Foreign Direct Investment

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GSI Geological Survey of India

IBM Indian Bureau of Mines

INR Indian Rupee

IT Income Tax

km kilometre

m metre

MAT Minimum Alternate Tax

MCDR Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988

MCR Mineral Concession Rules, 1960

ML Mining Lease

MMDR Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957

MT Million Tonne

NERP Non-Exclusive Reconnaissance Permit

NGCM National Geo-chemical Mapping Programme

NGPM National Geo-physical Mapping Programme

NMET National Mineral Exploration Trust

OGP Obvious Geological Potential

SEZ Special Economic Zone

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1. Introduction
Introduction Minerals are valuable natural resources that are finite and non-renewable. The
history of mineral extraction in India dates back to the days of the Harappan civilization. The
wide availability of minerals in the form of abundant rich reserves and the eco-geological
conditions make it very conducive for the growth and development of the mining sector in India.
As a major resource for development the extraction and management of minerals has to be
integrated into the overall strategy of the country’s economic development. The Extraction of
minerals has to be guided by long-term national goals and perspectives. Thus, minerals play a
key role in the evolution of human society and its overall economic development. Mining sector,
being one of the core sector of economy, provides basic raw materials to many important
industries like power generation (thermal), iron and steel, cement, petroleum and natural gas,
petro-chemicals, fertilisers, precious & semi-precious metals/stones, electrical & electronics
equipment, glass and ceramics etc. There will be huge demand for minerals in view of the rapid
urbanization and projected growth in the manufacturing sector in India. India occupies a
dominant position in the production of many minerals across the globe. India has a total
geographical area of about 328 million hectares. Of this, the mining lease (except than fuel,
atomic and minor minerals) area , constitutes around 0.14 percent. The India is rich in onshore
and offshore minerals, viz. crude oil and gas, coal, iron ore, copper, bauxite, etc. Of all variety of
land use categories, the common lands consisting of forest lands, pasture lands, and current
fallow and cultural waste lands dominate. During the last decade, India witnessed a consistent
high growth above 6% that is mainly due to rapid urbanization that has increased demand for
infrastructure and consumer goods. This demand led to more than doubling of crude steel
production from 32.6 million tonnes (MT) in 2004 to 81 MT1 in 2013 and demand for metals
and minerals in general. India, being the seventh largest country in the world, is well endowed
with various mineral resources. Government of India has recently enacted amendments to Mines
and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR) and notified rules that would
help in overcoming many challenges associated with the minerals and mining sector such as low
level mineral exploration and exploitation, low technology deployment, fragmented and small
concession areas etc. India is poised to witness great leaps of growth in minerals and mining
sector with the adoption of transparent and non-discretionary grant of mineral concessions
through an auction process.

A mineral is pure inorganic substance that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. More than two-
thousand minerals have been identified and most of these are inorganic, which are formed by
various combination of elements. Mineral are naturally occurring elements or compounds that
have been formed through slow inorganic processes. These are more than 3000 minerals species,
most of them having chemical composition, crystal, hardness, colour and opacity

Our civilization is based on mineral resources. All materials (fuels, metals, water, etc.) needed
for modern society are derived from the earth’s crust, whether directly or indirectly. The
naturally occurring materials (in form of ore) obtained below the earth’s crust having a definite
structure and chemical composition are called minerals.
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TYPES OF MINERAL RESOURCES PRESENT IN INDIA

The minerals from which metals and non metals is extracted are known as ores. Rock is formed
naturally by mineral deposition. According to their origin, rocks are divided into three types:

(i) Igneous rock

(ii) Sedimentary rock

(iii) Metamorphic rock.

The ores yield metal like iron, copper, aluminum, gold, silver, platinum, while non- metallic
materials like cement, sulphur , phosphorus, diamonds and chemical by products of petroleum
refining are vital to industry.

Classification of minerals:
On the basis of predominant anions or anionic group minerals can be classify as : (i) Silicates
minerals (ii) Native elements (iii) Sulphide minerals (iv) Oxide minerals (v) Halide minerals (vi)
Hydroxide minerals (vii) Carbonate and nitrate minerals (viii) Sulphate minerals (ix) Borate
minerals (x) Tung state, chromate and molybdate minerals (xi) Phosphate, Arsenate and
Vanedate minerals.

All the minerals are non renewable and valuable because they are stronger than any other
materials, and they can be melted and cast into shape with a good conductor of electricity.

Marine mineral resources

The deep sea basins are found to contain enormous quantities of minerals such a manganese,
cobalt-nickels and copper. The salt, magnesium and bromine are also discovered from marine
Marine mineral resources in India are of three types:

1. Terrigenous minerals: In Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa
with Ilmnite, monazite.

2. Biogenous deposits: In Kerala, Gulf Kutch, A & Nicobar with calcium, carbonate.

3. Chemogenous deposits: Manganese nickel, cobalt and copper.

Categories of Mineral Resources

Mineral resources can be divided into two major categories:

• Metallic Mineral Resources

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• Non-metallic Mineral Resources

Characteristics of Metallic Minerals

Metallic Minerals are metals that are hard substance and conduct heat and electricity with a
characteristics of luster or shine. For example: Gold, Silver, Tin, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Iron,
Nickel, Chromium, and Aluminum.

Metallic minerals contain metal in raw form .Metallic Minerals present a metallic shine in their
appearance. They contains metals in their chemical composition and are potential source of the
metal that can be got through mining.

Metallic minerals are further classified into Ferrous metallic minerals and Non-ferrous metallic
minerals.

Ferrous Minerals are those mineral that contains iron, for example: Iron ore, maganese and
Chromites.

Non-Ferrous Minerals are those minerals which do not contain iron, for example: gold, silver,
copper and lead.

Non-metallic minerals
Non-metallic minerals are a special group of chemical elements from which no new product can
be generated if they are melted. For example: sand, gravel, gypsum, halite, Uranium, dimension
stone.

Non-metallic minerals are minerals which are either present a non-metallic shine or lustre in their
appearance.These minerals do not contain extractable metals in their chemical composition.

Use of Minerals
The earth’s resources have been used by all cultures throughout history. The earliest uses of the
earth’s resources involved water, salt and simple tools made from rocks. The quantities of
various mineral resources used by particular societies vary widely but generally correspond per
capita to the nation’s degree of development and standard of living

The use of minerals depends upon its deposits. Some countries are rich in mineral deposits, while
others have no deposits. The greatest use of minerals depends on its properties. Minerals are used
in almost all industries. Gold, silver and platinum are used in the jewelry industry. Copper is
used in coin industry and for making pipes and wire. Silicon obtained from quartz is used in the
computer industry. Aluminum is light, strong and durable in nature, so it is used for aircraft,
shipping and car industries.
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The Indian Scenario

A variety of minerals are found in India .On the basis of properties, minerals are broadly
classified into metallic minerals and non-metallic minerals. Manganese, copper, aluminium, zinc,
iron, bauxite, gold, lead, etc are metallic minerals. Metallic minerals are mainly occur in igneous
and metamorphic rocks. Diamond, gypsum, mica, kainite, stones, potash, etc are non metallic
minerals.

Manganese- Manganese is used in steel industries and in making paints, glass, insecticides,
batteries, chemicals, bleaching powder, etc. India stands second in the reserves of manganese in
the world. Manganese ore is exported from India.

Iron ore- Iron ore is used in the manufacture of steel and iron. Haematite, limonite, magnetite
and siderite are the varieties of iron ore. Iron ore is a basic and important raw material of most of
the manufacturing industries.

Mica- Mica is used in electrical and electronics industries. It is also used in production of
medicines, paints, etc. Mica has an insulating property.

Copper- Copper is a good conductor of electricity. Copper is used for making alloys, electric
wires and utensils. It is also used in the manufacture of medicines. The demand of copper is
always more due to its non-rusting property.

Lead- Lead is a heavy and soft metal. It does not conduct heat. It is used in the manufacture of
ammunition, glass, rubber, paints, etc.

Bauxite- Bauxite is used in industries as raw materials. India has large deposits of bauxite ore. It
is used in industries which manufacture ships, aeroplanes, automobiles, electric wires, etc.

Major Minerals

Minerals under the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957

PART A. Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals

1. Coal and Lignite

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PART B. Atomic Minerals

1. Beryl and other beryllium-bearing minerals

2. Lithium-bearing minerals

3. Minerals of the “rare earths” group contain-ing Uranium and Thorium

4. Niobium-bearing minerals

5. Phosphorites and other phosphatic ores con-taining Uranium

6. Pitchblende and other Uranium ores

7. Titanium bearing minerals and ores (il-menite, rutile and leucoxene)

8. Tantalum-bearing minerals

9. Uraniferous allanite, monazite and other thorium minerals

10. Uranium bearing tailings left over from ores after extraction of copper and gold, ilmenite
and other titanium ores

11. Zirconium bearing minerals and ores in-cluding zircon

PART C. Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals

1. Asbestos

2. Chrome Ore

3. Copper ore

4. Gold

5. Lead

6. Precious stones (Diamond, Ruby )

7. Zinc
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2.Mineral sector overview

During the last decade, India had witnessed a consistent high growth above 6% mainly due to
rapid urbanization that has increased demand for infrastructure and consumer goods. This
demand led to more than two fold increase in crude steel production from 32.6 million tonnes
(MT) in 2004 to 81 MT1 in 2013 and demand for metals and minerals in general. India, being the
seventh largest country in the world, is well endowed with various mineral resources.
Government of India has recently enacted amendments to Mines and Minerals (Development &
Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR) and notified rules that would help in overcoming many
challenges associated with the minerals and mining sector such as low level mineral exploration
and exploitation, low technology deployment, fragmented and small concession areas etc. India
is poised to witness great leaps of growth in minerals and mining sector with the adoption of
transparent and nondiscretionary grant of mineral concessions through an auction process.

Structure of Minerals and Mining Sector

The Ministry of Mines (MoM), Government of India is responsible for the entire minerals and
mining sector in the country that includes legislation, administration, policy formulation etc. in
respect of all mines and minerals other than coal and lignite, natural gas and petroleum, but
including offshore minerals. In India, the minerals are classified as minor minerals and major
minerals. The power to frame policy and legislation relating to minor minerals is entirely
delegated to the State Governments while policy and legislation relating to the major minerals is
dealt by the MoM. All the mineral legislations in the country conform to the provisions of the
MMDR Act, 1957. MoM through its attached office, Geological Survey of India (GSI) facilitates
exploration, geological mapping and mineral resource assessment in the country. Indian Bureau
of Mines (IBM), a subordinate office of the MoM is mainly responsible for regulation of mining
in the country. Mineral concessions in India are granted to Indian nationals or entities
incorporated in India Exploration and Mining in India only.

Prospecting

Prospecting,the first stage in the utilization of a mineral deposit,is the search for ores or other
valuable minerals (coal or nonmetallics). Because mineral deposits may be located either at or
below the surface of the earth,both direct and indirect prospecting techniques are employed.

Exploration in India

Exploration The second stage in the life of a mine, exploration,determines as accurately as

possible the size and value of a mineral deposit, utilizing techniques similar to but more refined
than those used in prospecting. The line of demarcation between prospecting1 and exploration is

1
http://mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/INDAS106.pdf
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not sharp; in fact,a distinction may not be possible in some cases. Exploration2 generally shifts to
surface and subsurface locations,using a variety of measurements to obtain a more positive
picture of the extent and grade of the ore body. Representative samples may be subjected to
chemical,metallurgical,X ray,spectrographic,or radiometric evaluation techniques that are meant
to enhance the investigator’s knowledge of the mineral deposit. Samples are obtained by
chipping outcrops,trenching, tunneling,and drilling; in addition,borehole logs may be provided to
study the geologic and structural makeup of the deposit. Rotary,percussion,or diamond drills can
be used for exploration purposes. However,diamond drills are favored because the cores they
yield provide knowledge of the geologic structure. The core is normally split along its axis; one
half is analyzed,and the other half is retained intact for further geologic study. An evaluation of
the samples enables the geologist or mining engineer to calculate the tonnage and grade,or
richness,of the mineral deposit. He or she estimates the mining costs,evaluates the recovery of
the valuable minerals, determines the environmental costs,and assesses other foreseeable factors
in an effort to reach a conclusion about the profitability of the mineral deposit. The crux of the
analysis is the question of whether the property is just another mineral deposit or an ore body.
For an ore deposit,the overall process is called reserve estimation,that is,the examination and
valuation of the ore body. At the conclusion of this stage,the project is developed,traded to
another party,or abandoned.

India is a mineral rich country and has favourable geological milieu which is yet to be fully
explored, assessed and exploited. Its geological setup is similar in many ways to that of resource
rich countries like Canada, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Chile and Mexico etc. Exploration
activities in India are mostly carried out by GSI, MECL, various State DGMs, public sector
undertakings (PSU) and private sector entities both domestic and subsidiaries of many global
companies. GSI, established in 1851, is the principal agency for geological mapping and regional
mineral resource assessment in India. GSI has identified 0.571 million sq. km. as Obvious
Geological Potential (OGP) area for minerals. A major part of this OGP area is yet to be fully
explored. Most of the exploration activities in the country are of conventional type with
restricted input from geochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing. The finds so far, are located
near the surface (mostly up to a vertical depth of 100 m). Therefore, with fast depletion of easily
accessible and shallow or near surface ore bodies and decline in the rate of locating new mineral
deposits within shallow depths, the challenge lies in identifying new area for locating near
surface deposits and “deep seated” and “concealed/ hidden” ore bodies through modern and
sophisticated exploration methods/ techniques on the basis of conceptual studies.

India has more than 7,500 km. long coastline and the territorial waters cover more than 0.15
million sq. km. Seabed resources of these areas and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
covering about 1.87 million sq. km. have also come to light in recent years. If legal continent

2
http://www.mines.gov.in
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shelf is taken into account, total offshore area would become about 3.09 million sq. km. This
may also require exploration of resources.

In the off-shore area, Marine and Coastal Survey Division of GSI and National Institute of
Oceanography are the main institutes which are carrying out preliminary offshore exploration for
economic minerals. The explorations were main-ly carried out for economic heavy minerals
(HM), construction sand, phosphatic nodules/sand, lime mud and polymetallic nodules.

To boost mineral exploration in the coun-try, GSI has initiated the National Geochemical
Mapping Programme (NGCM) in 2001. Stream sediment samples are collected on a 1 km × 1
km grid and analysed for 68 elements and the result-ant geochemical values are plotted on a
1:50,000 scale base map. GSI also initiated National Geo-physical Mapping Programme
(NGPM) to gener-ate basic and derived maps of Bouguer Anomaly and International
Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) corrected magnetic total field maps of the country on
1:50,000 scale at an observation den-sity of one station per 2.50 sq. km. GSI initiatives also
include National Geomorphological and Lineament Mapping Programme, Hyperspectral
Mapping, Airborne Survey, Heli-borne Survey, Aeromagnetic Survey, Polar Studies and Marine
and Coastal Surveys.

Besides initiating the NGCM and NGPM, GSI has also initiated National Aeromagnetic Survey
for the OGP areas and is expects to complete it for the entire country by the end of 2020. GSI has
been associated with the Indian Antarctic Programme since the beginning and its scientists
regularly participate in the Ant-arctic expeditions. The Polar Studies Division of GSI carries out
regional geological mapping,

Thematic mapping and glaciological studies in the Antarctic. Remote Sensing & Aerial Surveys
(RSAS) Division of GSI is engaged in multi-sensor airborne surveys since 1965. The Marine and
Coastal Survey Division of GSI, besides studying the geomorphology of the sea bed, is in-volved
in the collection of bathymetric, magnet-ic, seismic and sediment distribution data within the
Territorial Water and the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.

Development

In the third stage, development, the work of opening a mineral deposit for Extraction is
performed. With it begins the actual mining of the deposit, now called the ore. Access to the
deposit must be gained either (1) by stripping the overburden ,which is the soil and/or rock
covering the deposit ,to expose the near-surface ore for mining or (2) by excavating openings
from the surface to access more deeply buried deposits to prepare for underground mining. In
either case, certain preliminary development work, such as acquiring water and mineral rights,
buying surface lands, arranging for financing, and preparing permit applications and an
environmental impact statement (EIS), will generally be required before any development takes
place. When these steps have been achieved ,the provision of a number of requirements— access
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roads, power sources, mineral transportation systems, mineral processing facilities, waste
disposal areas, offices ,and other support facilities— must precede actual mining in most cases.
Stripping of the overburden will then proceed if the minerals are to be mined at the surface.

Extraction
Extraction, the fourth stage of mining , is associated with the actual recovery of minerals from
the earth in quantity. Although development may continue, the emphasis in the production stage
is on production. Usually only enough development is done prior to Extractionto ensure that
production , once started,c an continue uninterrupted throughout the life of the mine. The mining
method selected for Extraction is determined mainly by the characteristics of the mineral deposit
and the limits imposed by safety, technology, environmental concerns, and economics. Geologic
conditions, such as the dip,s hape,and strength of the ore and the surrounding rock, play a key
role in selecting the method. Traditional Extraction methods fall into two broad categories based
on locale: surface or underground. Surface mining includes mechanical excavation methods such
as open pit and open cast (strip mining),and aqueous methods such as placer and solution
mining. Underground mining is usually classified in three categories of methods: unsupported,
supported, and caving.

Reclamation
The final stage in the operation of most mines is reclamation ,the process of closing a mine and
recontouring, revegetating, and restoring the water and land values. The best time to begin the
reclamation process of a mine is before the first excavations are initiated. In other words, mine
planning engineers should plan the mine so that the reclamation process is considered and the
overall cost of mining plus reclamation is minimized, not just the cost of mining itself. The new
philosophy in the mining industry is sustainability, that is, the meeting of economic and
environmental needs of the present while enhancing the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.

UNIT OPERATIONS OF MINING

During the development and exploitation stages of mining when natural materials are extracted
from the earth, remarkably similar unit operations are normally employed. The unit operations of
mining are the basic steps used to produce mineral from the deposit,and the auxiliary operations
that are used to support them. The steps contributing directly to mineral extraction are production
operations, which constitute the production cycle of operations. The ancillary steps that support
the production cycle are termed auxiliary operations. The production cycle employs unit
operations that are normally grouped into rock breakage and materials handling. Breakage
generally consists of drilling and blasting,and materials handling encompasses loading or
excavation and haulage (horizontal transport) and sometimes hoisting (vertical or inclined
transport). Thus,the basic production cycle consists of these unit operations:

Production cycle = drill+ blast+ load+ haul

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Although production operations tend to be separate and cyclic in nature, the trend in modern
mining and tunneling is to eliminate or combine functions and to increase continuity of
extraction.

Mining and quarrying methods-

The method used to extract minerals depends on the deposit size, shape, depth beneath the
surface and grade. A choice is made between surface mining and underground mining.

Surface mining is less expensive, safer and involves fewer complications with air, electricity,
water and rock handling. However, surface mining has a greater environmental impact than
underground mining. Thus, surface mining operations disturb the surface more seriously.

In open pit mines, extraction proceeds by drilling, blasting, loading, transporting and dumping
the ore out of the pit. In strip mining of coal, clay, bauxite, tar sands, phosphates, iron ores, etc.,
overburden is removed and dumped to the rear and the ore is scooped up and loaded into trucks.

Deep mines are extracted using underground minining methods. In most mines, ore extraction
and mine development involve drilling and blasting, and removal with mechanical diggers onto
underground railway cars or dump trucks that reach the surface through a shaft.

Hydraulic mining uses high-pressure water jets to wash soft sediments down an incline toward
some form of concentration plant, where dense mineral grains (such as gold) and soft mineral
grains (such as clay/kaolin) are separated.

Solution mining (leaching) involves dissolving the ore (Au, Ag, U, S, NaCl, etc.) with a liquid
(water, cyanide, etc.). If the ore is extracted on site with solution mining, it is called in-situ
leaching.
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3.Legal and Regulatory Framework for Mining and mineral

extraction and Key Issues

The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act (MMDR), 1957 is the principal
legislation that governs the mineral and mining sector in India. The Act is a central legislation in
force for regulation of mining operations in India. Under the act, minerals are taken under two
broad heads, major minerals and minor minerals. The list is lucid.

The power to frame policy and legislation on the minor minerals are entirely the subjected and
delegated to the State Governments while policy and legislation relating to the major minerals
are dealt by the Ministry of Mines under Union /Central Government of India. The central
government has the power to notify “minor minerals” under section 3 (e) of the MMDR Act,
1957. On the other hand, as per Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957 State Governments have
complete powers for making Rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor
minerals and levy and collection of royalty on minor minerals.

Whereas in case of offshore areas (territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic
zone and other Maritime zones of India), the ownership of minerals vests exclusively with the
Central Government. In order to regulate the mining and development of minerals in the offshore
area, the Parliament has enacted the “Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation
Act, 2002”. The Act empowers the Central Government to grant mineral concessions for
offshore areas and collect royalty. The Indian Bureau of Mines has been notified as the
administrative authority for concession management of offshore areas.

Developments under The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

Where there is inadequate evidence to show the existence of mineral contents of any notified
mineral in respect of any area, a State Government has to obtain previous approval from the
Central Government for granting a prospect licence-cum-mining lease for the said notified
mineral in areas in accordance with the procedure laid down in section 113.

A holder of a mining lease or a prospecting licence-cum-mining lease granted in accordance with

the procedure laid down in section 10B or section 11 may, with the previous approval of the

3
http://egazette.nic.in/
writereaddata/1957/E-2142-1957-0052-97089.pdf ;
http://ibm.nic.in/writereaddata/
files/07102014115602MMDR%20Act%20
1957_10052012.pdf
 P a g e | 14

State Government, transfer his mining lease or prospecting licence-cum-mining lease, as the case
may be, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government, to any person eligible
to hold such mining lease or prospecting licence-cum- mining lease in accordance with the
provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.

Constitution of Special Courts

U/s 30B (1) The State Government may, for the purposes of providing speedy trial of offences
for contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (1A) of section 4, constitute,
by notification, as many Special Court.

U/s 30B (2) A Special Court shall consist of a Judge who shall be appointed by the State
Government with the concurrence of the High Court of the State.

U/s 30B (3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a judge of a Special Court unless
he is or has been a District and Sessions Judge.

U/s 30B (4) Any person aggrieved by the order of the Special Court may prefer an appeal to the
High Court within a period of sixty days from the date of such order.

Special Courts to have powers of Court of Session: – U/s 30C. The Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973, applies in the proceedings before the Special Court and for the purpose of the provisions of
this Act, the Special Court is deemed as a Court of Session and contain all the powers like of a
Court of Session and the person conducting a prosecution before the Special Court is a public
prosecutor for the purpose of this Act.

The Central Government prescribe the terms and conditions, and procedure, for the auction
which is conducted, including the bidding parameters for the selection, which include a share in
the production of the mineral, or any payment linked to the royalty payable, or any other relevant
parameter, or any combination or modification of them.

The Central Government also framed the following rules for implementing the provisions of the
MMDR Act under the Amendment made in the year 2015.

Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015:- This provides the set of rules that set the
procedures to be followed for conducting any exploration to determine the mineral content and to
take up the mineral blocks for auction and mineral concessions.

Mineral (Non-exclusive Reconnaissance Permits) Rules, 2015:- It laid down the process to be
followed for grant of Non-exclusive Reconnaissance Permit.
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Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015:- It contains the rules for auction with respect to grant of
concessions over the minerals in India.4

National Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2015:- it laid down the objectives, functions and
operations of the National Mineral Exploration Trust.

4
http://mines.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Min-
eral%20Conservation%20and%20Development%20
Rules,%201988.pdf