New Mining Bill May Incorporate Global Best Practices and Future Sector Needs

The Centre is considering replacing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, with a new mining law as part of efforts to introduce reforms aimed at improving ease of living and ease of doing business.
 

Sources said the Ministry of Mines, which administers the MMDR Act, has amended the legislation from time to time to address the changing needs of the mining and minerals sector.
 

In recent years, the government has undertaken efforts to review the country’s regulatory framework and incorporate reforms to make life and business easier across sectors. The mining and minerals industry is considered important for the economy, future technological progress, meeting the country’s strategic requirements and achieving the goal of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
 

Against this backdrop, the government is considering a proposal to replace the existing MMDR Act with a new mining law.
 

According to sources, an inter-ministerial panel headed by an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Mines will prepare the new Bill. The panel will review the existing MMDR Act, examine leading international practices and consider incorporating them into the proposed legislation.
 

The committee will also identify and include provisions required to address future trends in the mining sector.