Skewed policy keeps foreign miners away from exploration in India

Lack of enabling provisions and some restrictive conditions in the policy are reasons behind it

Lack of enabling provisions and some restrictive conditions in the country's National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) appear to be keeping foreign mining majors away from India.

No mining or exploration company from abroad is on the approved list of the National Mineral Exploration Trust, despite the fact that it had floated an expression of interest for the selection of such companies.

The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi) blames this situation on some restrictive provisions in the Mineral (Non-Exclusive Reconnaissance Permits) Rules, 2015.

According to these rules, the holder of a non-exclusive reconnaissance permit (NERP) cannot stake a