The State Government would have to carve out an Exclusive Mining Zone (EMZ) for mining operations as such activities would not be undertaken in ecologically-sensitive areas.
With the State Government having been asked to implement the National Mineral Policy-2019, such stipulations would come up in the implementation process. Earlier, there were no such guidelines for doing mining operations.
In fact, mining operations in future are going to be tough as exploitation of mineral resources shall not be taken up in ecologically-fragile environment.
While an EMZ would be carved out by the State Government, prior in-principle statutory clearances for the mineralised areas would be required. Such statutory clearances are necessary to avoid conflict of interest and curtail delay in commencement of mining operations, said officials.
As per the National Mineral Policy, prevention and mitigation of adverse environmental effects due to mining would be taken care of in accordance with the latest scientific norms and modern afforestation practices. These practices would form an integral part of the mining development strategy in every instance, said a senior official.
“All mining operations shall be undertaken within the parameters of a Comprehensive Sustainable Development Framework, which will ensure that environmental, economic and social considerations are integrated effectively in all decisions on mines and mineral aspects,” said he.