Act & Rules

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) is the principal legislation governing the mining sector in India. It establishes the framework for granting mining rights, regulating operations, and ensuring the sustainable development of mineral resources across the country.

The Mineral Concession Rules 2016 (formally the Minerals [Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals] Concession Rules) are the primary legal framework in India that outlines the procedures, terms, and conditions for granting mineral concessions such as reconnaissance permits, prospecting licenses, and mining leases.

The Mineral (Auction) Rules, first notified by the Indian government in 2015, govern the transparent and competitive bidding process for granting mining leases and composite licenses for major minerals. The rules dictate eligibility criteria, bidding parameters, upfront payments, and post-auction timelines to ensure efficient operationalization of mines.