In order to reduce social and environmental costs of abandoning mines, the ministry of coal and mines has set up a committee to suggest changes in the policy guidelines regarding closure of mines.
The recommendations of the committee would form the basis of proposed amendments to the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, and the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988, a senior ministry official told Business Standard. The existing provisions for closure of mines under the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960, and the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988, were silent about the responsibilities of a leaseholder over the reclamation and rehabilitation of the mining area, the official said, adding that steps were required to restore the mined out area in a way it could be reusable in the future.