India’s mining sector has undergone a massive transformation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led governnment introducing several forward looking reforms over the last 11 years, emphasising on enhancing transparency, cutting down on delays and encouraging participation of private sector, Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said here on Friday.
Inaugurating the Indian national committee meeting of the World Mining Congress (WMC) on ‘Sustainable mining and responsible practices through effective mine closure’, he said that one of the major reforms towards greater transparency has been the auction-based allocation of mineral blocks introduced by the government. It is more transparent, professional and competitive than ever before, he said, adding that as many as 500 blocks had been auctioned thus far, including 119 in last one year alone.
The government has ushered in policy changes with a stress on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) measures such as 50-year uniform mining leases, elimination of lease renewal delays, easy transfer of permissions, issue of exploration licences and funding through NMET. “We are also launching a module of the single window system digitising entire coal exploration process, for greater transparency and reducing processing time,” Mr. Kishan Reddy said.
The National Critical Minerals Mission and offshore mineral auctions has also placed India in a select group of countries developing domestic ecosystems for minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements, he said. Vision Plans for strategic minerals — Aluminium and Copper — seeking to boost India’s green growth and manufacturing ambitions for a sustainable future were unveiled by the Minister, a release from the conference organisers said.
Increasing coal output
Stating that increasing coal production is a key priority of the government and the ministry, he said India’s cumulative coal production crossed the 1 billion tonne mark for the first time in 2024-25. Coal imports reduced 7.9% to 243 million tonnes in 2025, he added.
The Union Minister said the mining sector was fast emerging as champion of grren transformation on the back of multiple measures, including coal gasification, diversifying into renewable energy and re-purposing of mined lands.
“For India, sustainable mining aligns with our twin goals of achieving Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in mineral resources and maintaining our commitment to environmental sustainability.” Highlighting the importance of responsible mine closure, he called for adoption of the 6Rs Philosophy for mine closure activity — reclamation, repurposing, rehabilitation, revegetation, remediation and relinquishment.
For the first time since Independence, 10 mines have been successfully closed with scientific planning and 147 more mines identified for closure in a time bound manner. The Ministry has also revised guidelines to enhance monitoring, administration and implementation of mine closure plans. A new Reclaim framework was unveiled at the event towards ensuring meaningful community engagement and ecological restoration efforts, he said.
Cuddalore’s success story
Mine closure is not the end, but a new beginning for revival, hope and prosperity, the Minister said, citing the example of how in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu repurposed mines now provide drinking water and support agriculture. They have transformed into engines of local development providing 300 lakh kilo litres of water to 3 lakh people and irrigating 25,000 acres of farmm land and indirectly supporting livelihood of 50,000 people. The Minister called for stronger public-private partnerships and inclusive engagement with local communities, industry, and civil society to make mine closure more impactful and future-ready.
Secretary to Ministry of Mines V.L. Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Coal Rupinder Brar and Coal India CMD P.M. Prasad were present.
Published – July 04, 2025 08:01 pm IST
