SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules 2016 was tabled by the State Government on the last day of the autumn session of the Assembly on Friday.
As per the notification, no mining lease and quarry permit will be granted “within 50 m of a village, bridge, national highway or water source without prior approval of the State Government”.
Similarly, no mining lease and quarry permit will be granted in respect of any land falling within a forest, catchment area, protected areas such as national park, sanctuaries, community reserves, wildlife corridors and biodiversity heritage.
The notification further says no mining lease or quarry permit will be granted to any person who carries out benami transaction and in contravention to the provisions under the Meghalaya Land Transfer (Regulation) Act, 1972.
“Priority in granting mining lease will be first given to a person who uses such minor minerals for government construction and second priority will be given to the discoverer of the new minerals to be authenticated in terms of clause (g) of Rule 2 by the competent authority provided that the discovery of new minerals is supported by a geologist’s report authenticated by the geologist or a competent authority,” the notification says.
The notification also said no lessee of any person having joint interest with him ordinarily will hold one or more mining leases covering a total area of more than five square kilometres in respect of one minor mineral within the state unless the State Government is of the opinion that in the interest of mineral development, it is necessary to do so. It may then for reasons to be recorded in writing, permit any persons to acquire one of or more mining leases covering an area in excess of five square kilometres but not exceeding ten square kilometres.
The notification further said that the period for which a mining lease may be granted will not exceed 30 years and it may be renewed only once for a period not exceeding 20 years.
It also says that mining operations will be undertaken in accordance with the duly approved mining lease and it may be modified with prior approval of the Director of Mineral Resources during the operation of mining lease. The lessee or quarry permit holder will deposit to the District Mineral Foundation Fund for the benefit of the persons and the areas affected by mining and quarrying. In addition, they also have to make payment to the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Reclamation Fund for the reclamation of the mining areas affected.
