Page 14 - Minerals

India's mining sector needs a strong push

India has not been able to utilise its mineral wealth

Mining of atomic minerals by private entities prohibited, says govt

Atomic minerals zirconium, monazite and thorium are found in abundance along several beaches of the country

Mines ministry's ultimatum to states: Explore lapsing blocks by December

Of 288 blocks expiring by March 2020, 59 are operative

Mineral-rich India still imports thrice the value of its local production

Trend has shown no sign of abatement since 2013-14; Gold and diamond make up 80% of value of imported minerals

Major minerals grow 28% in value to Rs 607 bn, highest in five years

Iron ore leads robust growth among major minerals; bauxite production dips almost 9%

Sale limit on minerals from end-use blocks may be lifted

Govt officials said any mineral extracted from a mine should not go waste

Lack of private participation hindering mineral exploration: Piyush Goyal

Mineral exploration in India is currently constrained due to lack of private sector participation, Union minister Piyush Goyal said today. A public private partnership could be tried out to give a fillip to mineral exploration, Goyal, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, said. Addressing a FICCI conference here, he said, "the time is ripe to reflect on where we had gone wrong" while suggesting setting up of a committee comprising young mining aspirants to develop a position paper to speed up exploration activities. "This committee should look at innovative ways to bring down the time of actual operation of mine after it is put up for auction, thus enabling the sector to make a quantum jump," he added. Underlining the need to step up mineral exploration in the country, he said that at present it is "constrained due to lack of private sector participation". Seeking to address industry concerns, Goyal said that high value,

Royalty from minor minerals to accrue to environment fund

The funds would be utilized for environmental conservation, restoration & regeneration activities

Cabinet clears new mining policy

Rs 2,116 crore would be required over five years to implement the policy

Mineral production up by 1.4% in April

Total value of mineral production, which excludes atomic and minor minerals, in April 2016 was Rs 18,186 crore

Kerala loses claim on atomic minerals

The recurring legal issue over the control of minerals between state governments and the Centre surfaced again when the Kerala government claimed rights over atomic minerals on the southern coast and the Supreme Court dismissed its appeal by majority with one judge dissenting.In this case, State of Kerala vs Kerala Rare Earths & Minerals Ltd, the state government granted licences to the firm but within 10 days stayed its own order for re-examining the environmental impact on the crowded area and the priority of public sector firms vis-a-vis private miners. Rare Earth challenged the state government's action in the high court. It held that the state government was wrong. The government appealed to the Supreme Court, claiming right over the minerals.While dismissing the appeal, the court pointed out that the approval of the Centre was also required under the Mines and Minerals Development Regulation Act and it had approved of licences in this case. The judgment further pointed out th