Mineral Mining: Environment Min suggests mines ministry to place limits on production of limestone

The Supreme Court passed a judgment on August 2, 2017, wherein it directed the Central government to revisit the National Mineral Policy, 2008, and announce a “fresh and more effective, meaningful and implementable policy” before the end of this year

In July 2011, the Supreme Court banned mining of iron ore in Karnataka following allegations of illegal mining that had resulted in large-scale abuse of the environment. (Representational)

The environment ministry has suggested to the mines ministry that the latter should place the limits on production of minerals such as limestone “as there is encroachment into agricultural land for mining”. On August 14, the Ministry of Mines formed a committee to review the National Mineral Policy, 2008. Surendra Kumar, advisor, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), was present at the second meeting of this committee that took place on September 11, 2017, in New Delhi.

“He (Kumar) mentioned that presently, the focus is on a few minerals like iron ore and manganese; and suggested that the policy should also incorporate concerns for placing limits on production of other minerals also like limestone especially as there is encroachment into agricultural land for mining,” stated the minutes of the second meeting of the committee.

The Supreme Court passed a judgment on August 2, 2017, wherein it directed the central government to revisit the National Mineral Policy, 2008, and announce a “fresh and more effective, meaningful and implementable policy” before the end of this year. The mines ministry formed the committee after this judgment. The first meeting of this committee took place on August 28, 2017.

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“He (Kumar) mentioned that mining plans should be approved keeping in mining the ceiling placed by MoEFCC with regard to conservation of environment,” stated the minutes. Kumar concluded his submissions at the meeting “by expressing his concerns for monitoring of illegal mining which should also be suitably incorporated in the policy”.

In July 2011, the Supreme Court banned mining of iron ore in Karnataka following allegations of illegal mining that had resulted in large-scale abuse of the environment. The apex court on April 18, 2013, had allowed mining in Karnataka, but with the cap of 30 million tonnes per annum.

Goa had suspended mining activities in September 2012, after the Shah commission report on illegal mining in the state was tabled in Parliament. Goa’s main mining activity is related to iron ore. Supreme Court formally imposed the ban on Goa’s all mining activities in October 2012. Partially lifting the ban in April 2014, the Supreme Court, in a judgment, set a 20 million tonne per year cap on iron ore extraction in the state.

When asked if there should be a production cap on limestone and manganese ore and other major minerals because of environmental concerns, Kameswara Rao, leader, energy, utilities and mining at PwC India told The Indian Express: “In general, there is a case for production caps as a part of overall resource management policy and as required by environmental safeguards. So, ideally, the terms
of the mining lease and environmental clearance should clarify the limits, and once they are set, it is not advisable to impose further subjective caps. That would deter genuine investors and lead to unregulated activities.”