The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Sh. Vishnu Deo Sai said that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and rules and regulations framed there under provide safeguards for land pertaining to mining leases do not remain unutilized after completion of mining works. As per rule 23 (1) of Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 (MCDR, 1988), the owner, agent, mining engineer or manager shall not abandon a mine or part of mine during the subsistence of the lease except with prior permission in writing of the Controller General or the authorised officer. Further, as per sub rule 23(5)1 of MCDR,1988, the lease holder shall not abandon a mine or part thereof unless a Final Mine Closure Plan (FMCP) submitted under rule 23C of MCDR,1988, duly approved by the Regional Controller of Mines or the officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf. Further, the lessee is required to obtain a certificate under Rule 29 of Mineral Concession Rule, 1960 (MCR 1960) to the effect that protective, reclamation and rehabilitation work in accordance with the final mine closure plan as approved by the competent authority, have been carried out before abandonment of the mine. Also, there is a provision under Rule 23F of MCR 1960, of a financial assurance to be furnished by every lease holder to indemnify the Government against failure of lessee to implement proposals of FMCP (reclamation and rehabilitation work).
The proposals regarding the land being returned to its original use or alternative use is carried out in accordance with FMCP.
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