The state government today announced a new mining policy. A mining development fund is also proposed under the new policy, to rope in private partners for exploration of minerals.
The state has also decided to discourage mining in tribal and reserve forest areas. The state would charge more royalty against mining.
“The state government wants scientific exploration of minerals in the state. It has decided to discourage surface mining reconnaissance permits. It would also encourage mining of limestone, manganese, and bauxite and value addition through modern industries. Even transportation of mineral to processing plants would be encouraged through conveyor belts and ropeways,” a government spokesperson said. “Only those mining industries will be encouraged and will be granted licences that will offer 50 per cent jobs to locals,” he added.
The policy has laid emphasis on initiating diploma and degree programmes in mining technology, closure of non-viable mines, and association of various non-government and social organisations in giving proper shape to scientific mining.
The policy also has some mild penal provisions against illegal mining; cancellation of driving licenses involved in transporting illegal minerals and cancellation of prospecting licenses. “Use of satellite data, e-permit, and setting up of check post are also proposed in the new policy to rearrange mining in the state,” said the spokesperson. Madhya Pradesh tops in diamond and pyrophyllite mining in India. It comes second in diaspore, rock-phosphate and clay mining and third in limestone and manganese ore mining.
