The Ministry of Mines has vide order dated 4.3.2009 constituted a Central Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee (CEC) under the chairpersonship of Secretary (Mines) to monitor and minimize delays at various levels in grant of approvals for mineral concession applications. The CEC meets quarterly, and has so far held ten meetings wherein important decisions aimed at minimizing delays in processing of mineral concession applications at various levels and bringing about efficiency and transparency in the overall mineral concession regime were taken.
In the current calendar year, four meetings of the CEC have been held, with the last meeting having been held on 21.9.2012.
Revision Application & Disposal
Under Section 30 of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Action, 1957), the Ministry of Mines exercises its revisionary powers in dealing with the revision applications filed by the applicants who are aggrieved by any order passed by the State Government or any other authority in exercise of the powers conferred by the MMDR Act. The Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 (MCR 1960) prescribes the detailed procedure for filing and disposal of revision applications under Rule 54 and 55.
It was decided vide order dated 27.3.2012 that from 1.4.2012 only Joint Secretary level officers will function as the Revisional Authority and now there are 4 Revisional Authorities handling the work.
During the period from 01.01.2012 to 17.12.2012, 233 revision applications have been disposed of.
Geological Survey of India (GSI)
During the FS 2012-13 GSI has made significant augmentation /discoveries in Gold, Platinum, Rare Earth Element, Basemetal, Iron ore, Manganese, Phosporite, Limestone in the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. GSI has estimated coal resource of 5610.86 million tonnes in West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and 13.665 million tonnes of lignite in Rajasthan (till 1.04.2012).
India has won its bid to host the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC) in the year 2020, at the recently concluded 34th IGC at Brisbane, Australia and this prestigious event – returning to India after more than five decades – will be attended by about 10,000 geoscientists from across the globe, who have carved a niche in their areas of specialization.
The 2nd meeting of the Geoscience Advisory Council (GAC), the highest policy-planning forum to advise the Ministry of Mines and the Geological Survey of India in the matters of Earth Sciences, held under the Chairmanship of Shri Dinsha J. Patel, Minister of Mines on 20th June 2012. Minister stressed the importance of mineral resources that play a key role for economic development. The Minister expressed his concern about the scarcity of water, which is vital for the well being of the society. It was emphasised to explore opportunities for long-term strategic partnerships or cooperative arrangements with Central and State Ministries, Institutions, Universities and Private sector.
assessing and exploiting the mineral wealth in the NORTHEASTERN Region
For giving impetus to the activities of mineral investigation in North-eastern Region the 7th Review Meeting of ongoing Mineral Development Projects in North Eastern Region was held at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh on 17thSeptember 2012 under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines. The meeting was attended by the AMD- Department of Atomic Energy, IBM, MECL, NEC, Government of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and representatives of Directorate of Mining and Geology of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh besides GSI.
INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES (IBM)
Mineral Production / Trade
The total value of mineral production (excluding atomic minerals) during 2012-13 has been estimated at Rs. 234612.66 crores. During 2012-13, estimated value for fuel minerals account for Rs. 156834.04 crores or 66.85% of mineral production. The production of metallic minerals stood at Rs. 43381.67 crores or 18.49% of the total value of production and non-metallic minerals including minor minerals contributed to Rs. 34396.95 crores or 14.66% of the total value. The provisional value of minerals and ores exported during the year 2011-12 (Provisional) was Rs. 175310 crores whereas the value of import was Rs. 944430 crores.
Achievements of IBM in 2012-13 (upto November, 2012)
For promotion of conservation and scientific development of mineral resources and ensuring protection of mines environment in mining areas, IBM carried out 1,457 Inspection of mines for enforcement of provision of MCDR, 1988 and examination of MP/MS, approved 149 Mining Plans and 334 Schemes of Mining. For up gradation and utilization of low grade and sub-grade ores and minerals, IBM carried out 39 Ore dressing investigations, 27,911 Chemical Analysis, 1,706 Mineralogical studies and one in Plant study. As a part of Consultancy services on charge and promotional basis to mining industry on mining, geological & environmental aspects, IBM completed 1 Technical Consultancy Assignments and 2 Mining Research Assignments and conducted 09 training courses for IBM and Industry personnel. Updation of 100 multi-mineral maps with forest overlays in respect of Karnataka and Odisha are in progress. Updation of NMI as on 01.4.2010 is completed for 70 minerals. For dissemination of data on mines and minerals, 12 Statistical and technical publications have been released.
Implementation of amended Rule 45 of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules 1988
The Central Government has developed on-line system for registration and on-line reporting systems to facilitate the submission of monthly returns for iron ore. The on-line registration system has already commenced in the IBM and so far up to November, 2012, 5223 lease holders, 2975 traders, 586 exporters, 1195 stockiest and 2181 end-users have registered their details.
HINDUSTAN COPPER LIMITED (HCL)
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) has earned Profit before tax of Rs. 472.92 crore for the financial year 2011-12 which is highest ever since inception.
The Company has paid Rs. 92.14 crore as dividend to Government of India for the year 2011-12.
Ore Production in 2011-12 at 3.48 million tonnes is 2nd highest in last 13 years.
The CCEA in its meeting held on 14.09.2012 had inter alia approved the disinvestment of 9.59% paid up equity (88728406 shares) of HCL out of Govt. of India holdings of 99.59%. The issue of HCL opened on 23.11.2012 and 51604148 equity shares of the company (approximately 5.58% of the paid up equity capital) were sold through Stock Exchange mechanism. Now Govt. of India’s shareholding in HCL is 94.01%.
The Company has rolled out mine expansion plan to increase mine production to 12.4 million tonnes by financial year 2017-18. The plan envisages expansion of Malanjkhand, Khetri, Kolihan and Surda Mines; re-opening of Rakha and Kendadih Mines; & development of new mines namely Banwas and Chapri-Sidheswar
The company was accorded BRPSE Turnaround Award 2012 by the Government of India.
MINERAL EXPLORATION CORPORATION LTD. (MECL)
MECL has submitted 30 numbers of Geological reports and added 2373.17 million tonnes of mineral reserves in National Mineral Inventory.
MECL has successfully completed drilling operation in high altitude area of Chumathang, district Leh, Jammu & Kashmir for geothermal studies for Naval Materials Research Laboratory, DRDO.
MECL has acquired and commissioned two latest high capacity drill rigs “ Sandwik DE 740” for deeper drilling for minerals upto depth of 1500 m in NQ size.
MECL is planning to expand its exploration services in overseas projects. As a consortium member with SAIL, NALCO, HCL, Jindal Steel & Power Limited and Monet Ispat & Energy Limited, the company participated in global tender for exploration of copper prospects in Afganistan. One geologist from MECL visited Afganistan in this connection for preliminary survey of the mineral prospect.