Minor Minerals

Minor minerals refer to naturally occurring materials that are less valuable and more locally distributed than major minerals, and are primarily used in the construction, building, and manufacturing industries. These minerals include building stones, gravel, sand, clay, ordinary earth, and other materials used for non-industrial purposes.
In India, the distinction between major and minor minerals is determined not by the nature of the mineral itself but by statutory classification under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). The regulation of minor minerals is largely the responsibility of state governments, while the central government governs major minerals.

Definition and Legal Framework

The term minor mineral is defined under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as:

“Minor minerals means building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, and any other mineral which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a minor mineral.”

Thus, the Central Government has the power to classify any mineral as a minor mineral based on its economic importance, end use, and availability.

Distinction between Major and Minor Minerals

The same mineral can be treated as major or minor depending on its use. For instance, limestone used in cement production is a major mineral, while limestone used as building material is a minor mineral.

Examples of Minor Minerals in India

Some of the common minor minerals notified by the Government of India include:

• Building stones (granite, sandstone, slate, etc.)
• Gravel and ordinary sand
• Ordinary clay and brick earth
• Marble, laterite, shale
• Boulders, pebbles, and stone aggregates
• Ordinary earth used for filling or embankment
• Bentonite, gypsum (used locally)
• Silica sand (for glass manufacture)
• Chalcedony pebbles (used in building)
• Quartzite and feldspar (used in pottery and tiles)

These minerals are crucial for infrastructure development, housing, roads, ceramic, and construction industries.

Administration and Regulatory Framework

1. Central Government Role

• The Ministry of Mines formulates policy and issues notifications declaring minerals as minor under Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act.
• It also provides broad guidelines for sustainable mining and environmental safeguards.

2. State Government Role

• The state governments have exclusive control over the regulation, grant, and collection of revenue from minor minerals.
• States frame their own Minor Mineral Concession Rules, prescribing procedures for granting leases, quarry permits, and royalty rates.
• State-level Directorates of Geology and Mining supervise exploration, extraction, and transportation of minor minerals.

3. District Administration

• The District Collector or District Magistrate plays a key role in granting short-term permits and enforcing environmental and legal compliance at the local level.

Extraction and Leasing System

The mining of minor minerals is generally carried out under:

1. Quarry Leases: Granted for medium- or long-term extraction operations (up to 10–20 years).
2. Short-Term Permits: For small-scale extraction used in local construction projects.
3. Auction System: Recent reforms require that leases for minor minerals be granted through competitive bidding (auction) to ensure transparency and higher revenue to states.

The Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines (2016) and Enforcement & Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining (2020), issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), govern sand and gravel extraction to prevent illegal mining and environmental degradation.

Environmental and Legal Safeguards

Mining of minor minerals, especially sand and stone, has significant environmental implications such as riverbed erosion, habitat loss, and groundwater depletion. To mitigate these impacts:

• Environmental Clearance (EC) is mandatory under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, for all minor mineral mining leases.
• Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines (2016) and District Survey Reports (DSRs) ensure scientific identification of mining sites.
• Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) are prepared for sustainable extraction and rehabilitation of mined areas.
• E-auction and e-transport permits are encouraged to curb illegal mining.

Economic Importance of Minor Minerals

Minor minerals contribute substantially to state revenues through royalties, cess, and permit fees, while supporting local economies through employment and raw materials.

Key Contributions:

• Supply of construction material for infrastructure projects such as highways, housing, and urban development.
• Employment generation in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Promotion of local entrepreneurship in quarrying and allied activities.
• Contribution to state exchequers — in several states, minor mineral revenue exceeds that from major minerals.

Challenges in the Minor Mineral Sector

1. Illegal Mining:
   • Widespread illegal sand and stone mining causes revenue loss and environmental damage.
2. Environmental Degradation:
   • Over-extraction leads to soil erosion, riverbed deepening, and depletion of groundwater resources.
3. Lack of Regulation:
   • Weak enforcement and coordination among agencies at state and district levels.
4. Unscientific Mining Practices:
   • Unregulated quarrying leads to unsafe working conditions and ecological imbalance.
5. Revenue Leakage:
   • Inadequate monitoring and record-keeping reduce royalty collection.
6. Community Conflicts:
   • Displacement, livelihood loss, and pollution affect local communities.

Reforms and Policy Measures

To address these issues, several reforms and initiatives have been introduced:

1. Amendments to the MMDR Act (2015 & 2021):
   • Mandated auction-based allocation of minor mineral leases.
   • Enhanced powers of state governments for faster decision-making.
2. Sustainable Mining Guidelines:
   • Introduced by the MoEFCC for scientific and environmentally sound mining.
3. Digitisation and Transparency:
   • States such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have adopted online permit and e-auction systems to check illegal mining.
4. District Mineral Foundation (DMF):
   • Established under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, to fund development in mining-affected areas, including minor mineral zones.
5. Use of Drones and Satellite Monitoring:
   • Modern technology deployed for surveillance and detection of unauthorised mining.

Examples of State Policies

• Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017: Regulates the extraction of marble, sandstone, and building materials.
• Madhya Pradesh Minor Mineral Rules, 1996: Governs sand, stone, and clay mining.
• Uttar Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) Rules, 1963: Provides framework for sand and morrum mining through e-tendering.

These state-level rules ensure compliance with both central guidelines and local socio-environmental conditions.

Sustainable Development in the Sector

A shift towards sustainable and scientific mining is essential for balancing economic growth with environmental protection. Key strategies include:

• Scientific Mining Plans based on resource mapping and environmental assessments.
• Rehabilitation of mined-out areas through afforestation and land reclamation.
• Promotion of alternatives to river sand (e.g., manufactured sand or M-sand).
• Community participation in decision-making under local governance frameworks.