Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988

The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) provide standards to ensure that mining is done on a scientific basis while also protecting the environment. The requirements for filing and reporting in relation to prospecting, mining plan applications, and reconnaissance operations are likewise governed by the MCDR. These regulations also outline the way that open-pit and underground mines should be operated, as well as the steps that should be taken in the event that a mine is abandoned or temporarily closed.

What are the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988?

The Mineral Conservation and Development Regulations, 1988 are governed by the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and they become operative as of the day they are published in the Official Gazette. The regulations provide science-based mining while protecting the environment. The regulation governs the obligations for filing and reporting in cases involving reconnaissance activities, prospecting, or applying for a mining plan.

Legislation of the Rules

The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988, were drafted in accordance with the authority granted by Section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957. The Central Government make rules related to conservation and Development of Minerals.

Applicability of Rules

All minerals must adhere to these regulations, with the following exceptions −

Petroleum and Natural Gas

Coal, Lignite, and Sand for Stowing

Any mineral declared as prescribed substance for the purpose of the atomic energy act, 1962

Minor minerals.

Significance of the Rules

The following are the implications of the rule −

Reconnaissance plan

A scheme of reconnaissance operations outlining the manner in which the permit holder proposes to conduct reconnaissance operations in the area covered by the permit must be submitted by each holder of a reconnaissance permit to the Controller General, the Regional Controller, or the authorized officer within 60 days of the permit's execution date.

Prospecting plan

A prospecting plan outlining how each prospecting license holder intends to conduct his prospecting activities must be submitted to the Controller General, the Regional Controller, or the authorized official within 60 days of the prospecting license's execution date.

Financial security

Each leaseholder must provide financial guarantee. Per hectare of the mining lease area used for mining and related operations, a financial guarantee payment of rupees 25,000 for A category mines and rupees 15,000 for B category mines will be made.

Safeguarding the environment

In order to safeguard the environment and reduce pollution when performing prospecting, mining, beneficiation, or metallurgical operations in the region, every holder of a prospecting licence or mining lease is required to take all reasonable measures.

Air pollution prevention measures

The holder of a prospecting license or a mining lease must control and keep air pollution due to fines, dust, smoke, or gaseous emissions during prospecting, mining, beneficiation, or metallurgical operations and related activities within "Permissible Limits" specified under various environmental laws of the nation, including the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Provisions under the Rules

The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 contain 66 provisions under the rule −

Rules	Chapter	Content
Rule 1 - 3	Chapter I	Preliminary
Rule 3A – 3E	Chapter IA	Reconnaissance Operations
Rule 4 - 8	Chapter II	Prospecting Operations
Rule 9 – 26	Chapter III	Mining Operations
Rule 27 –30	Chapter IV	Plans and Sections
Rule 31 - 41	Chapter V	Environment
Rule 42 - 44	Chapter VI	Employment of Qualified persons
Rule 45 - 53	Chapter VII	Notices and Returns
Rule 54 – 56	Chapter VIII	Examination of Minerals and Issue of Directives
Rule 57 - 58	Chapter IX	Revision and Penalty
Rule 59 - 66	Chapter X	Miscellaneous

Conclusion

The Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 1988 provide provisions for reconnaissance and prospecting operation for protecting and preserving minerals in India. The rules authorize a license for the purpose of mining in the most scientific manner, while the mining lease holder is obligated to take all reasonable precautions to protect the environment and prevent pollution when conducting prospecting, mining, beneficiation, or metallurgical operations in the region.

FAQs

Q1. What are the major goals of the conservation of minerals?

Ans. The major interlocking, overlapping arrows stand for the three conservation goals: preservation of genetic variety, maintenance of vital ecological processes, and life-support systems, and sustainable use of species and ecosystems.

Q2. What is mineral conservation?

Ans. Minerals can be saved by reducing mining waste, by recycling with scrap metals, by use of alternative renewable replacements and mineral resources should be used in a planned and sustainable way.

Q3. Why is mineral conservation necessary?

Ans. Minerals are a limited and non-renewable resource. Mineral formation geological processes are so slow that replenishment rates are infinitely tiny in contrast to current consumption rates.

Q4.Which Indian state produces the most minerals?

Ans. According to the report State-wise Mineral Production in India 2022, Odisha is the country's top producer of minerals, followed by Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Rajasthan. It Odisha has rich deposits of bauxite, coal, iron ore, manganese, and nickel, among other minerals.