**Executive Summary**
This notification, issued by the Ministry of Mines on May 12, 2026, officially designates M/s Wattfin Ventures Private Limited as a "Category ‘A’ Exploration Agency." Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the agency is authorized to conduct prospecting operations for a period of five years. This authorization is subject to compliance with established government guidelines and the validity of the agency's accreditation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Agency Designation and Authority**
* M/s Wattfin Ventures Private Limited is notified as an accredited "Category ‘A’ Exploration Agency."
* The notification is issued under the powers conferred by the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
* The agency is authorized to carry out prospecting operations across India.
**Compliance and Guidelines**
* Operations must strictly comply with the "guidelines for notification of accredited private exploration agencies" issued by the Ministry of Mines on August 12, 2021 (Order No. M.VI-16/15/2021-Mines VI).
* The agency must adhere to all specific conditions stipulated in the aforementioned guidelines.
**Timeline and Validity**
* The notification comes into effect on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette (May 12, 2026).
* The authorization remains in force for five years from the date of notification.
* The validity period may be shortened if the agency's accreditation expires or is terminated before the five-year term ends.
**Impact Analysis**
**M/s Wattfin Ventures Private Limited**
**Impact**
The company is legally empowered to function as a Category 'A' private exploration agency, allowing it to undertake mineral prospecting projects sanctioned by the government.
**Action Required**
The agency must conduct all prospecting operations in strict accordance with the Ministry of Mines' 2021 guidelines and maintain its accreditation status to remain operational.
**Ministry of Mines / Central Government**
**Impact**
The government expands its capacity for mineral exploration by formalizing the involvement of a private sector entity.
**Action Required**
The Ministry must monitor the agency's compliance with statutory provisions and the specified guidelines throughout the five-year period.
Key Entities Referenced
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: The primary legislation governing the mining sector in India, under which the Central Government is empowered to notify exploration agencies.
M/s Wattfin Ventures Private Limited: The specific private entity notified as a 'Category A' Exploration Agency to carry out prospecting operations.
Ministry of Mines: The central ministry responsible for the administration of mining laws and the accreditation of private exploration agencies.
Guidelines for notification of accredited private exploration agencies: The policy framework issued by the Ministry of Mines governing the conditions and notification process for private exploration entities.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-14052026-272556
CG-DxLx-xEG-I1D4H0x5x2x0 26-272556
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2310] नई दिल्ली, मंगलिार, मई 12, 2026/ििै ाख 22, 1948
No. 2310] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026/VAISAKHA 22, 1948
खान मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 12 मई, 2026
का.आ. 2402(अ).— केंद्रीय सरकार, खान और खजनि (जिकास और जिजनयमन) अजधजनयम, 1957 (1957 का
67) की धारा 4 की उपधारा (1) के िसू रे परंतुक द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, मैससस िॉटदिन िेंचसस प्राइिेट
जलजमटेड को “प्रिगस ‘क’ खोि अजभकरण” के अधीन अजधसूजचत करती ह,ै िो भारत सरकार के खान मंत्रालय के आिेि संखयांक
एम. VI-16/15/2021-खान VI, तारीख 12 अगस्ट्त, 2021 द्वारा िारी प्रत्याजयत जनिी खोि अजभकरणों की अजधसूचना के
जलए मागसििसक जसद्ांतों के अनसु ार जिजनर्िसष्ट ितों के अनुपालन में पूिेक्षण संदिया करेगा।
2. यह अजधसूचना रािपत्र म ें इसके प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रिृत्त होगी और ऐसी अजधसूचना की तारीख स े
पांच िर्स की अिजध तक या उसकी समाजि तक या प्रित प्रत्यायन की समाजि तक, िो भी पूिसतर हो, प्रिृत्त रहगे ी।
[िा. स.ं एम.VI-16/22/2022-खान VI]
कुलिीर ससंह यािि, संयुि सजचि
3365 GI/2026 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF MINES
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 12th May, 2026
S.O. 2402(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 4 of
the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby notifies
M/s Wattfin Ventures Private Limited under “Category ‘A’ Exploration Agency”, which shall carry out prospecting
operations in compliance with the conditions specified as per the guidelines for notification of accredited private
exploration agencies issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Mines, vide order number M.VI-16/15/2021-Mines
VI, dated the 12th August, 2021.
2. This notification shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette and shall
remain in force for a period of five years from the date of such notification or till the expiry or termination of the
accreditation granted, whichever is earlier.
[F. No. M.VI-16/22/2022-Mines VI]
KULVEER SINGH YADAV, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.