The Union home ministry wants state governments to take proactive action against illegal mining as it has become a national security threat. In a recent meeting with the states, the home ministry said that windfall profits from such mining of minerals and sand were being used by the mafia to aid extremist elements.
Nine mineral-rich states -- Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana -- are readying 75 blocks for auction.
While the gold policy covers every aspect, from sourcing gold to trading and investing in it, experts assert that the policy is incomplete if mining of gold in India isn't promoted.
The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.
Mines Minister B K Handique said that his ministry is not in favour of any further equity dilution in the navratna PSU.
Soon after stalling Vedanta's proposed bauxite mining project in Orissa, the Environment Ministry on Tuesday said the licence granted to mining firms supplying the mineral to its alumina refinery is under scanner.
The government has garnered Rs 2 lakh crore by auctioning 33 blocks.
The Prime Minister's Office has asked the Coal Ministry to monitor closely the process of allotment and auction of coal mines to ensure that there is no disruption in the production of dry fuel.
'No one is propagating RSS ideology as a government officer.'
A new law has been put together to actually take control of the mining sector away from the government, specially the Union government, and make regulation by an independent authority the basis of mineral development in India.
Under attack over illegal mining issue in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said stern action was taken whenever such incident was reported in the state.
Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Thursday said mining should be allowed in 90 per cent of the areas classified as no-mining zones by the Environment Ministry and a proposal will be tabled before Cabinet soon, after ascertaining the views of different ministries.
In a significant move to enhance its strategic resource security, India has officially released its first-ever critical minerals list, identifying 30 key critical minerals crucial to the nation's economic growth and technological development. This pioneering step aims at reducing import dependence, enhancing supply-chain resilience, and supporting the country's net-zero objectives. Union Minister Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, while releasing the Critical Minerals for India report in New Delhi on Wednesday, said, "India is readying for an Atmanirbhar Bharat."
The Supreme Court on Friday suspended with immediate effect mining of iron ore in 10,868 hectares in Bellary district of Karnataka.
India has about 9 per cent of the total gold reserves in the world, yet imports gold worth more than Rs 65,000 crore. The government plans to reduce gold and diamond imports by Rs 20,000 crore.
POSCO officials have said it was unlikely to build the plant without assured supply of iron ore.
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'Mining jobs get created in the most backward districts of India's poorest states,' says Anil Agarwal.
Minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh said it is a major step to place the right talent for the right role.
The government is auctioning 42 coal mines among 204 coal blocks.
As of now, only Indian power, steel and cement companies can mine coal for their own consumption.
JSPL, Tata Power, Monnet Power, Jindal Photo in the dock.
'The prime minister's comment on 'revdi culture' was welcome. But I am disappointed he did not follow up on that.' 'All political parties, including the BJP, have been guilty of this.' 'Now, Modi's guarantees, the Congress's 'nyay' path and both ruling and Opposition parties are vying with each other for freebies in my home state Andhra Pradesh.'
Dubbing the Bharatiya Janata Party ministry in Karnataka as the "most corrupt government in free India", the Congress on Wednesday demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and all ministers indicted by the Lokayukta in the illegal mining case. "Those holding constitutional positions should uphold high moral traditions. Yeddyurappa and all ministers involved in the nefarious activities should quit," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said it's a pity that since switching sides, Scindia has adopted the Modi government's "uncaring attitude" to the public.
The Goa Foundation started filing writ petitions before the Bombay High Court from 1992 onwards against several mining companies.
The verdict on deemed licences has the Street question whether Sesa Sterlite owns any mines in Goa.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said the larger interest of the public sector would be fully protected.
At the time of bidding, Amit Bahadur had Rs 4,840 in his bank account.
In a bid to diversify its portfolio, the state-owned National Thermal Power Corporation proposes to foray into new areas, including coal mining and coal washeries, through the joint venture route where it would hold minority stake.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday reluctantly admitted before the National Green Tribunal that illegal sand mining was going on in the state and not even a single environmental clearance had been granted for it in Gautam Budh Nagar district.
Mining companies will now have to cap mining activities in Goa.
After six years of probe, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed the closure report before a special court last week as it could not find enough evidence in the case to proceed with prosecution, the officials said.
Those for power sector to see tussle between prior owners & new challengers
More than legal and illegal mining of sand, the issue which stares us in the face is sustainable sand mining, says Gopal Krishna
The recommendation, if implemented, could severely dent coal miners' bottom line.
Amidst the storm over CAG report on coal block allocation, the Prime Minister's Office has expressed displeasure over inaction by the Coal Ministry in cancelling blocks where mining has not taken place and asked it to expedite the matter by September 6.
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