MINES AND MINERALS (DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION) ACT, 1957 (MMDR ACT)
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), the Central Government has been empowered for regulation of mines and development of minerals to the extent provided in the said Act. As per section 18 of the MMDR Act, Central Government is responsible to make rules for conservation and systematic development of minerals in India and for the protection of the environment by preventing or controlling any pollution which may be caused by prospecting or mining operations and for such purposes as necessary. Under this section, the Central Government has framed the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017.
MMDR Act - 2021 (Amendment)
Key Details of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021
(1) Participation for private players in exploration of minerals
(2)Transfer of mineral concessions
(3)Transfer of all mineral concessions without any charges.
(4) Removal of restriction on end-use of minerals:
(5)Removal of difference between captive and non- captive mines
(6)Transfer of statutory clearances
(7)Extension of leases period of existing leases:
(8) Clarify the definition of illegal mining
(9) Reimbursement of ML/PL holder
The MMDR Amendment Act, 2025
Key Details of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2025 (PIB & Parliamentary Records):
Critical Minerals Focus: Allows holders of mining leases (ML) or composite licenses (CL) to add rare/critical minerals (like lithium, cobalt, nickel) to their operational scope.
Removal of limit on sale of mineral for captive mines:
Permission to sale of mineral dumps stacked in the leased area : Permission for Inclusion of Major Mineral in leases of Miner Minerals Permission for Inclusion of Minor Mineral in leases of Major Minerals:
Contiguous Area Extension: The amended rules introduce a one-time, time-bound mechanism to expand mining areas for deep-seated minerals (up to 10% for ML, 30% for CL).
NMET Expansion: The National Mineral Exploration Trust is renamed the “National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust” to cover offshore areas and expand funding for mine exploration, note PRS India and PIB.
Mineral Exchanges: Enables the central government to establish and promote mineral trading through exchanges.
These changes aim to strengthen “Atmanirbhar Bharat” by increasing domestic supply and decreasing dependence on critical mineral imports