September 02,
The Mines Ministry will soon draw up a new policy that would clearly earmark regions that would be not be meant for mining and those areas where projects could be taken up.
The Mines Ministry plans to divide the country’s mineral rich regions into ‘go’ and ‘no go’ areas. The reason behind the exercise is to identify areas of dense forest cover or sensitive areas where mining will not be allowed.
Official sources said the Ministry has prepared a draft policy and will seek the approval of the Cabinet once it is circulated and comments are received from various stakeholders.
The demarcation between mining and no-mining areas will cover metallic minerals such as Iron ore, Bauxite and Zinc. Such a policy, officials said, will prevent delay of projects and their getting stuck on environmental grounds.
The Ministry will use data collected by the Indian Bureau of Mines which is involved in the development of mineral resources and protecting the environment in mining areas. The Bureau is currently engaged in developing overlay of mining areas overlapping with thick forest cover.
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