Mining companies engaged in manufacture of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) would not be required to obtain licence for possession and use of blasting accessories like safety fuse and detonators.
"The government after due consideration has decided that no licence under the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 will be necessary by mine owners to manufacture ANFO explosives.
"This will help mine owners using ANFO to continue mining operations and will help the development of cement industry as well as the construction sector," the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP)said in a statement today.
ANFO manufacturers were required to take licence for possession and use of blasting accessories - booster, safety fuse, detonating fuse and detonators under Explosive Rules, 2008 for which a firm has to obtain No Objection Certificate from District Authorities and also from Director General of Mines Safety.
Monthly returns are filed by the licence holders under the Explosive Rules to district authorities as well as Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization.
It said that the DIPP had received representations from stakeholders about hardship faced in getting licence under the provisions of IDR Act.
ANFO explosive is prepared by mixing Ammonium Nitrate with fuel oil in an aluminium or wooden tray with hand mixing and immediately charging into the bore holes in the adjacent quarry or mines for blasting.
No packaging, storage, sale or transportation of ANFO is involved in the conventional manufacturing and using process.
The licencees prepare ANFO for their own use and on the spot captive consumption for blasting purposes in metalliferous mines/quarries, it added.
