Mine auctions may begin by March 2015: Official

The auction of mines may begin by March 2015 if parliament clears proposed amendments to the mines and minerals act in its winter session, an official said here Wednesday.

If the proposed amendments in the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 1957 are accepted and cleared by parliament in its winter session, the auction of mine can begin by early March 2015, said Anup Kumar Pujari, secretary, ministry of mines.

"We want to bring the momentum back in mining and invite people to give their suggestions and feedback," Pujari said on the sidelines of the International Mining and Machinery Exhibition (IMME) and Global Mining Summit organised by CII here.

Pujari invited the industry stakeholders to present their views and recommendations online till Dec 10.

The MMDR Act is presently applicable across all mineral classifications and defines the scope of the union and state governments on the procedure and guidelines.

"We are un-bundling the MMDR Act and introducing two categories - Notified category and Non-Notified category. Further, there will be redressal mechanisms," Pujari said.

Under the proposed amendments, if the state doesn't take a decision (over mining allotment, proposals and powers under the MMDR Act, 1957), the company or person can approach the central government for redress. Also, tribunals are being considered to try mining related cases.