Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi today informed Rajya Sabha about the reforms initiated by the government in the mining sector to strengthen sustainable mining practices in the country.
He said that the ministry of Mines implemented sustainable mining by making provisions under Chapter-V of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017.
Addressing the upper house of the parliament, the union minister said that the National Mineral Policy 2019 envisions sustainable mining as financially viable; socially responsible; environmentally, technically, and scientifically sound mining practices with a long-term view of development; optimal use of mineral resources, and ensuring sustainable post-closure land uses.
What is Star Rating System?
Rule 35 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules 2017 provides for a star rating of the mining leases based on the sustainable mining practices adopted by the miners.
It provides all miners including private miners to follow the Sustainable Mining provisions under Chapter V of MCDR 2017 and follow the star rating system developed for evaluation of the leases.
Star rating has been made mandatory under Rule 35(2) of MCDR, 2017 and every mining leaseholder has to submit an online self-assessment report before the 1st day of July every year for the previous financial year along with the digital images of the mining lease area as per rule 34A of the said rules to the Regional Controller or the authorized officer of the Indian Bureau of Mines.
Further, as per Rule 35(4) of MCDR, 2017 every holder of a mining lease shall achieve at least a three-star rating within a period of four years from the date of commencement of mining operations and thereafter maintain the same on a year-on-year basis.
