Why in news:

• The state government of Himachal Pradesh has initiated significant amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015.

Key Points:

• This decision, made during a recent Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister aims to enhance mineral extraction processes while ensuring landowners benefit financially from the mining activities on their properties.

Key Provisions of the Amendment

Auctioning private lands for mining

• Under the new provisions, suitable private lands in Himachal Pradesh can be auctioned for mineral extraction with the consent of landowners. This innovative approach allows landowners to receive 80% of the annual bid amount, thereby incentivizing them to participate in the mining process. This move is expected to facilitate a more organized and regulated mining environment, directly benefiting local landowners economically.

Increased depth and mechanization in riverbed mining

• The amendments also allow for increased depth in riverbed mining operations—from one meter to two meters. This change is aimed at promoting systematic and sustainable mining practices.
• Furthermore, the use of machinery for mineral excavations in riverbeds will now be permitted, which marks a significant shift from previous regulations that mandated manual extraction methods. This mechanization is anticipated to improve efficiency and reduce environmental degradation caused by haphazard manual mining practices.

Non-Mining activities and agricultural land

• The new regulations also introduce provisions that permit the removal of sand and gravel from agricultural fields up to a depth of two meters after each monsoon season. This activity will be classified as a non-mining activity, thereby simplifying regulatory requirements for farmers who need to manage their agricultural lands effectively.

Overall, the amendment to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals Rules represents a progressive step towards modernizing mineral extraction in the state. By facilitating private participation through auctions and enhancing operational efficiency through mechanization, these changes introduced by the state government aim to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.