States to prepare district level report on minor minerals

State governments will have to prepare a district survey report to identify deposits of minor minerals other than sand and bajri, and identify areas where mining should be prohibited.

A gazette notification in this regard has been issued by the Union Environment Ministry after amending the EIA notification of 2006.

The amendments have been made following the Jharkhand High Court order dated April 11, 2018 that directed preparation of a 'District Survey Report' for minor minerals other than sand and bajri.

According to the amendments, the state government and/or district Environment Impact Assessment Authority and District Expert Appraisal Committee have powers to prepare a district survey report of minor minerals other than sand and bajri.

The purpose of the survey report is to identify areas of deposition where mining can be allowed, and identification of areas of erosion and proximity to infrastructural structures and installations where mining should be prohibited.

The report will also give update on annual rate of replenishment and allowing time for replenishment after mining in that area.

A format has also been given for preparing a district survey report.