Mining Industry

NMDC scouts for mining assets across four continents to diversify portfolio

NMDC, which caters to India's one-fourth iron ore demand, has set a goal to earn at least 20 per cent of revenues from sale of minerals other than the key steel making raw material

Govt steps up support for miners in 13 countries amid geopolitical risks

Companies seek safeguards against nationalisation risks, faster work permits and better access to geological data in overseas mining markets

Centre plans MMDR Act overhaul, to draft comprehensive new mining law

The government is considering overhauling the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, into a comprehensive new mining law, a move aimed to incorporate ease of living and ease of doing business reforms, sources said. The mines ministry administers the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) The Act has been amended from time-to-time to keep pace with the evolving requirements of the mining and minerals sector, sources said. In recent years, the Centre has made efforts to review the nation's regulatory landscape to incorporate ease of living and ease of doing business reforms across all sectors. Considering that the mining and mineral sector is important for the economy, future technological progress, fulfilling the strategic needs of the country, and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the MMDR Act, 1957, is proposed to be overhauled into a comprehensive and streamlined new mining law, sources said. An inter-ministerial pan

India's mica industry seeks critical mineral tag to counter China's grip

With 60% of mica exports going to China, industry seeks critical mineral status, a 30% export duty and incentives to boost domestic value addition

CSM Technologies deploys nationwide mineral royalty system in Kenya

The digital platform enables declaration, assessment, payment and monitoring of mineral royalties, aiming to improve transparency, compliance and revenue administration

Orissa HC dismisses Vedanta's plea to enforce 2004 bauxite supply agreement

The court held that promissory estoppel cannot compel the state to act against mining law or confer an enforceable commercial right over natural resources held in public trust.

Mining and construction equipment industry to grow 8-10% in FY27: Icra

Industry volumes are expected to reach 1.5 lakh units in FY27, but higher steel, logistics and imported component costs could reduce operating margins

Illegal mining continues to attract criminal penalties: Mines ministry

"In a scenario where there is violation of rules and illegal mining, the violator will attract both civil liability as well as criminal liability for illegal mining," the ministry said

New mining rules raise concerns over enforcement, penalties for violations

New mining penalty rules may weaken enforcement by capping civil penalties and allowing violations to be settled without inquiry, experts and industry stakeholders said

Best of BS Opinion: Government must get real on spending

Today's opinions examine India's critical-minerals strategy, FSSAI's food-warning labels, Budget discipline, the RBI's dollar-rupee swaps and lessons from industrial policy

Odisha plans integrated university township with industry focus

The proposed integrated university township is part of the Centre's university townships plan announced during Union Budget 2026-27

NMDC's August iron ore production rises 21% to 4.07 million tonnes

Cumulative production rises 26 per cent to 23.23 MT in April-August; state-run miner says it is on track to produce more than 60 MT of iron ore in FY27

States to retain 90% of mining-related payments after MMDR Bill: Centre

Mines Ministry says states will continue to receive around 90 per cent of mining-related taxes and statutory payments, amid concerns over the amendment's fiscal impact

MMDR amendment puts state taxing powers back in constitutional crosshairs

The Bill's restrictions on taxing mineral rights and mineral-bearing land have revived questions over Parliament's powers and could open the door to legal challenges by states

Jharkhand CM urges PM Modi to rethink MMDR Bill, flags ₹11,000 crore risk

Hemant Soren says proposed restrictions on states' mineral taxation powers raise constitutional and federal concerns and could hit Jharkhand's mining revenues

Best of BS Opinion: Mining reforms risk undermining fiscal federalism

Today's pieces examine mining reforms and fiscal federalism, India's need for a caregiving policy, stronger bank boards, urban governance and lessons in crisis leadership

Mining an opportunity: New Bill prioritises business over states' rights

The amendment enables the Centre to confer upon itself the sole authority to control mines and mineral development in the country

India nearly doubles planned coal mining capacity in 2025: Report

India's proposed coal mine capacity rose to 638 mtpa in 2025, driving almost all of the growth in the global coal project pipeline despite rising renewable capacity

What MMDR Bill 2026 means for states, miners, mineral-bearing land

The MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks greater government control over mineral-bearing land and tighter rules for state taxes, cesses and other mining-related levies

Mining project near India's first marine sanctuary, national park gets nod

A key clearance has been given to a bauxite and marl mining project in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district, nearly 1.6 and six kilometres from India's first marine wildlife sanctuary and first marine national park, respectively, on the Gulf of Kachchh's southern shore. While the marine wildlife sanctuary (spread over 458 square kilometre) was established in 1980, the marine national park (spanning 168 square kilometre) was created two years later to protect and conserve marine flora and fauna. According to Gujarat's forest and environment department, a complex coral reef ecosystem and extensive mangroves dominate the seascape of the marine park's shallow water, and the eco-system hosts diverse species. Mining has been proposed to take place at the Mevasa Block in an area spanning over five hectares (ha). The project was recommended for grant of environmental clearance (EC) by the expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the environment ministry's in its meeting on July 29. The ...