Mining Industry

Govt proposes board approval, CCO nod for opening coal mines in draft rules

Under the proposed framework, companies engaged in coal mining must obtain prior approval from their Board of Directors before opening any mine, seam or section of a seam

Mines ministry notifies new royalty rates for 4 critical minerals

The Union Cabinet earlier this month approved rate rationalisation for the four minerals to boost domestic production and facilitate their auctions

Centre files curative plea in SC over states' right to levy mining cess

The Centre has approached the Supreme Court with a curative plea against the ruling that allowed states to levy a cess on mining lands, warning of international implications and strain on the federal

Patel Engineering gets ₹800 crore mining-related work order in Chhattisgarh

Patel Engineering has secured two projects worth around Rs 800 crore for mining related activities in Chhattisgarh. The company has received letter of intents from Saidax Engineers and Infrastructures. The total project value for both letter of intents combined is Rs 798.19 crore (excluding taxes), Patel Engineering said in a statement. Patel Engineering Ltd has received two Letter of Intents (LoIs) for the execution of excavation and associated works and transportation of coal at a project located at Jhiria West OCP of Hasdeo Area, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, for Coal India arm South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). Patel Engineering Managing Director Kavita Shirvaikar said: "The new projects come in addition to a robust tender pipeline of more than Rs 34,000 crores already bid and under evaluation." The company also looks to participate in business opportunities worth Rs 18,000 crore expected to come up for bidding before the end of this financial year, she said. Patel Engineerin

Cabinet greenlights ₹7,280 cr scheme for rare earth magnet manufacturing

The government has cleared a Rs 7,280 crore plan to build India's first integrated rare earth magnet supply chain, aiming for 6,000 tonnes annual capacity to support EVs, clean energy and electronics

Minecraft 2.0: AI-driven exploration reshaping India's hunt for rare earths

India is transforming how its hunts for copper, lithium, rare earths and more, using AI to shave years off exploration timelines and reshaping the push for critical mineral security

J&K has almost 1 billion tonnes of limestone reserves: GSI official

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has estimated that Jammu and Kashmir holds nearly one billion tonnes of limestone reserves, a senior central government official has said. Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Mines Sanjay Lohiya noted that the Union Territory also has significant potential for other key minerals, which the J&K government intends to explore and utilize for the benefit of the people of the region. Expressing satisfaction over Jammu and Kashmir becoming part of India's mineral block auction map with the launch of the first limestone block auction and roadshow here, the official said the Centre would extend full support to accelerate exploration, development and investments in the sector. Union minister G Kishan Reddy, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and his deputy Surinder Choudhary jointly launched the e-auction of seven limestone mineral blocks, covering about 314 hectares, across the districts of Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch here on Monday. "All

US EXIM to invest $100 billion to secure critical mineral supplies: Report

Trump had campaigned on a promise to increase US energy output and has sought to roll back energy and environmental regulations since taking office in January

BHP Group has made renewed bid approach to Anglo American: Report

Anglo American's market capitalisation is about $41.80 billion, while BHP's is around $132.18 billion, based on LSEG data.

The tough race for critical minerals continues despite viability fears

While the auction of mines has attracted high bids, just how many of these mines will actually be commercially viable remains to be seen

One dead, several feared trapped after stone quarry collapse in Sonbhadra

A 30-year-old mine worker's body was recovered from the rubble on Sunday morning from a stone quarry that collapsed here, a police officer said. Several more remain trapped under the rubble. Uttar Pradesh minister and local MLA Sanjeev Kumar Gond, who visited the spot in the Billi Markundi mining area after the collapse on Saturday evening, said "around a dozen labourers" might be trapped under the debris. Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Varanasi Zone, Piyush Mordia, said efforts are on to clear the debris. Police identified the deceased labourer as Raju Singh of Panari village of the same district. The ADG said clearing the rubble is taking time because it includes several heavy stones. Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Verma said that they were informed about the collapse at around 4.30 pm on Saturday at Obra Police Station. The caller said that several workers were buried under the debris after a portion of a stone quarry operated by Krishna Mining

No mining within 1 km of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that mining cannot take place within one kilometre of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, extending earlier directions to all protected areas

Govt approves rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals

The Union Cabinet approved rationalised royalty rates for graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium to encourage domestic mining and promote auctions of critical mineral blocks

Australian companies tap Indian partners amid critical mineral push

Pilot project in Jharkhand and Hyderabad tie-ups mark early gains as Australian mining technology companies eye local subsidiaries and Indian PSUs explore Queensland's mineral assets

Viability gaps threaten to trip India's race to secure critical minerals

While the auction of mines has attracted aggressive bidding - with many willing to pay high premiums - how many of those will actually be commercially viable remains to be seen

Japan to invest $300 mn in Pakistan's copper mine amid supply crunch

Situated in Pakistan's Balochistan province, the Reko Diq copper-gold mine is poised to become one of the world's five largest copper reserves, drawing Japanese financing and industrial support

Foreign mining firms assure rare-earth oxide supply under PLI scheme

BHEL had informally reached out to about 20 foreign mining and refining firms to check if they would be able to supply rare-earth oxides to the winning bidders of the scheme, according to a government

Untapped mines could save India $100 bn in imports annually: CSEP study

Policy hurdles, high royalties and red tape keeping global explorers away, warns report

India taps IISc as centre of excellence to boost critical minerals research

The Ministry of Mines has chosen IISc Bengaluru as a key hub for research and innovation in critical minerals, strengthening India's self-reliance in clean energy, defence, and advanced technologies.

CoalMin proposes escrow fund for underground coal gasification blocks

Stakeholders have 30 days to submit comments on draft rules mandating pilot feasibility studies, real-time groundwater tracking, and escrow funds for UCG mine closure