Enhanced Coal Quality Assurance through Independent Sampling
On July 31, 2024, PIB Delhi reported that to address consumer concerns about coal quality, the Ministry of Coal issued a Standard Operating Procedure for Third Party Sampling and Analysis at the loading point on November 26, 2015.
Draft Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) Notified
Several activities will be prohibited or regulated within the ESA, including mining, expansion of existing polluting industries, and large-scale construction projects. Existing mining operations will be phased out within five years. However, existing healthcare facilities and repair/extension of residential houses are exempted.
Stakeholders’ Consultation on Draft Mining Plan Guidelines for Coal and Lignite Mines- 2024
The Key elements include the mandatory inclusion of restoration, remediation, and regeneration measures in mining plans to ensure sustainable natural resource management. These measures aim to minimize environmental impacts, address community concerns, and promote continuous improvement in water quality monitoring.
BIS Issues Standards On Sanitary Appliances, Plywood, Health Care Products and Mechanical Equipment
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued revised certain standards on Sanitary Appliances and Mechanical Equipment. Additionally, BIS has introduced amendments to the standard of Methods of Test for Plywood and standard for Sterilization of Health Care Products. These notifications were published on May 30 and June 4, 2024.
Ministry Of Mines Amends Quality Control Orders On Nickel, Copper and Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys
Through these amendments, the Ministry has extended the date from which each of these QCOs shall come into force. These enforcement dates were originally fixed as August 31, 2023 and have now been extended till December 1, 2024.
Revised process for obtaining, extending and executing mineral exploration license
Mineral (Auction) Amendment Rules, 2024 provides that a bidder shall submit only one bid in an auction of a mineral block and no affiliate of a bidder shall submit a bid in the same auction where such bidder has submitted bid. “Affiliate” with respect to a bidder shall mean a person who, (a) controls such bidder, (b) is controlled by such bidder, (c) is under common control with such bidder, (d) is an associate company of the bidder, or (e) is a subsidiary company of such bidder.
Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Amendment Rules, 2024
The amendment provides that respect of any mineral specified in Part D of the First Schedule to the Act, in order to identify mineral potentiality of a block based on the available geoscience data where resources are yet to be established, including in any block proposed by any person, the Central Government shall place it before a committee.
Allocation of Remaining Quantities of Raw Petroleum Coke
It was unanimously decided to distribute the remaining 0.4 million tonnes of RPC to all eligible calciners on a pro-rata basis, following the existing methodology adopted by the DGFT. Certain criteria were laid out, including considerations for those who had not applied before, surrendered significant quantities, or featured in specific reports.
Ministry of coal to commence 8th round of auction of commercial coal mines
Ministry of coal makes efforts to stop importing of coal with the main focus on production of coal within the nation. The mines being auctioned are spread across coal bearing States of Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Bihar. Sale of tender document shall start from November 15, 2023.. Details of the mines, auction terms, timelines etc. can be accessed on MSTC auction platform.
Guidelines for support in the mining and mineral sector
The Ministry of Mines has issued GUIDELINES FOR SUPPORT TO MINING RESEARCH to plan, support and coordinate mining, mineral and metal based research in public interest for enhancing the understanding of the mines and geology, and devising strategies and solutions for conservation and mining protection and management.
