The Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017
Key features of RMMCR 2017:
1. Mandatory Electronic Auction (E-Auction)
Transparent Allocation: The primary method for granting mining leases and quarry licenses is through e-auction.
Bid Security: Rules specify that a bid security (often 25% of the offered price) is required to secure the fulfillment of obligations in the bidding document.
2. Mining Plan and Environmental Safeguards
Approved Mining Plan: No lease or license can be granted without a pre-approved mining plan, ensuring scientific and systematic mining.
Sustainable Mining: The rules incorporate Environmental Management Plans (EMP) and Progressive/Final Mine Closure Plans to ensure environmental protection and restoration.
Financial Assurance: Lessees must provide financial assurance to indemnify authorities against reclamation and rehabilitation costs.
3. Digitalization of Processes (E-Rawanna)
Electronic Monitoring: The use of e-rawanna (digital transit pass) is mandated for the transportation of minerals to prevent illegal mining.
Online Portal: All applications, payments, and approvals are handled through the Departmental Web Portal
4. Lease Terms and Renewals
Validity Period: The rules streamlined the period for leases. Mining leases for major minor minerals are generally granted for long periods (e.g., 50 years for some types).
Extension Provisions: Provisions allow for the extension of leases up to March 31, 2040 (updated via amendments), upon payment of a premium.
5. Stringent Penalties and Compliance
Automatic Cancellation: Failure to comply with terms, such as non-deposit of premium or mining plan issues, can lead to the cancellation of the Letter of Intent (LOI).
Illegal Mining: Clear definitions of illegal mining (mining without lease or license) and strict penalties are established.
Illegal Mining Penalties: Violators can face imprisonment up to two years or fines up to Rs 5 lakh, or both.
The Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules (Second Amendment) 2022
Key features of RMMCR (Second Amendment) 2022
1. Grant & adding of (< 1 Ha) adjoining area as strip land to adjoining ML on application & payment of premium – (Amendment in Rule 7 (3A)) 2. Grant & adding of (<.18 Ha) adjoining area as strip land to adjoining QL on application & payment of premium – (Amendment in Rule 8) 3. Extension of lease period of all existing ML up to 31st March 2040. (Amendment in Rule 9) 4. Extension of License period of all existing QL up to 31st March 2040. (Amendment in Rule 10) 5. Grant of Gap Areas & Strip land (Amendment in Rule 16(1)) 6. Removal of maximum cap of 4 Ha from Khatedari land (Rule 17(2) 7. Fixation of maximum one- time payment (Rs 5 Lacs) on transfer of lease (Amendment in Rule 27(9)) 8. Exemption of Prior requirement of EC while execution of ML & in such cases payment of Dead Rent after commencement of mining operations or one year from the date of registration of lease deed. (Amendment in Rule 28) 9. Quarterly online return in the FORM-15, online annual return in FORM-16 within three months from the date of expiry of the financial year & substantial reduction in late fee. (Amendment in Rule 28) DMG Notification: 08.05.2022 10. Permission to private players in mineral exploration
Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules (Second Amendment) 2024
Key features of the October 24, 2024, RMMCR amendments include:
Reduction of security amount from 10 lacs to 2 lacs for Now new QL holders
Instalments of premium for extension of lease period up to 2040.
Mandatory drone surveys covering the lease area and a 100-meter buffer zone
Submission of Processed outputs, such as Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and Ortho mosaic images to DMG
Drones as autonomous aerial equipment and focus on enhancing compliance and preventing illegal mining through digital surveillance