Speed up approval process, mines ministry tells states

Upset with a long list of pending applications, the ministry of mines has asked state governments to fast-track the approval process for prospecting, exploring and mining applications. Over 46,700 applications including reconnaissance permit (RP), prospecting licence (PL) and mining lease (ML) are pending in different states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Orissa at various stages.

The ministry has told states that the applications should be disposed within the timeframe prescribed under Mineral Concession Rules (MR). The MCR makes it mandatory that application regarding reconnaissance permits have to be cleared in six months, while PLs and ML be disposed within nine and 12 months respectively.

?The disposal of these applications have been negligible. We have told them (states) many times to work this out,? said a mining ministry official.

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There are mainly three mineral concessions ? RP, PL and ML. RP is given for preliminary prospecting of a mineral through regional, aerial, geophysical or geochemical surveys and mapping. While PL is for undertaking exploring operations and locating or proving mineral deposit, a mining licence is to mine any mineral.

Fast clearance of these applications, especially RPs, is significant as once the new Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act is in place, the existing RP applications would become non exclusive. Lok Sabha had already cleared amendments. However, it may take a while before the changes are enforced as it needs approval of Rajya Sabha as well and would be debated and discussed by the standing committee. Presently, there are 456 RPs pending.

The mines ministry has told states to clear it without delay. It has also called a meeting with state officials next week to review the status of pending applications. It has asked states to set up empowered committee to look into the same matter. ?Though, some states have already set up the committee, there are a few which have not done it yet despite being asked regularly,? the ministry official said.