**Executive Summary**
This document is a response from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding exemptions to mining or expansion projects. The key issue is whether the government has issued any Office Memorandums (OM) exempting certain categories of mining or expansion projects from public consultation and environmental public hearing. The response was to be answered on February 2, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Office Memorandum (OM) Issued:**
* The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued an OM on September 8, 2025.
* The OM pertains to "Fast tracking of projects involving Mining of Critical/Strategic and Atomic Minerals.”
* The OM exempts related projects from public consultation requirements under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
* **Rationale for OM:**
* The OM was issued per clause 7(III)(i)(f) of the EIA Notification.
* Exemptions are for projects related to national defense, security, or other strategic considerations.
* The exemptions consider the importance of critical/strategic and atomic minerals.
* The projects are intended to meet India’s energy transition, defense preparedness, space research, and nuclear power program goals.
* **Public/Expert Response:**
* The Government has not received objections or representations from environmental experts or civil society organizations regarding the exemptions.
* **Government Commitment:**
* The Government remains committed to environmental protection, transparency, and public participation within the existing regulatory framework.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for issuing and defending the OM regarding mining project exemptions.
* **Action Required:** Continue to ensure environmental protection, transparency, and public participation within the existing regulatory framework.
**Mining Companies Involved in Critical/Strategic/Atomic Minerals:**
* **Impact:** Benefit from expedited project approval processes due to exemption from public consultation.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to all other environmental regulations and requirements not covered by the exemption.
**Environmental Experts and Civil Society Organizations:**
* **Impact:** Potentially concerned about reduced public input on mining projects.
* **Action Required:** Monitor projects and engage with the government regarding environmental protection measures.
**Affected Communities:**
* **Impact:** May have less opportunity to directly voice concerns about environmental impacts of mining projects due to exemption from public hearings.
* **Action Required:** Engage with government authorities and mining companies through other channels to address concerns.
Key Entities Referenced
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework: A process to assess the environmental impact of projects.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The primary Indian government body responsible for environmental regulations.
EIA Notification, 2006: Notification outlining the environmental impact assessment process.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 272
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Exemption to Mining or Expansion Projects
272. SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C:
SHRI MURASOLI S:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government has issued any Office Memorandum exempting certain categories of
mining or expansion projects from the mandatory process of public consultation and
environmental public hearing under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework;
(b) if so, the details of such exemptions, the rationale behind them and the categories of projects
covered;
(c) whether the Government has received objections or representations from environmental experts
and civil society organisations expressing concern that such exemptions dilute environmental
safeguards and deny affected communities an opportunity to raise their concerns;
(d) if so, the response of the Union Government thereto; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to review or withdraw such exemptions in the interest of
environmental protection, transparency and public participation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued
an Office Memorandum (OM) dated 08.09.2025 on “Fast tracking of projects involving Mining
of Critical/Strategic and Atomic Minerals,” exempting the related projects from public
consultation requirement under Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The
OM was issued in terms of the existing provision at clause 7(III)(i)(f) of the EIA Notification,
which exempts projects relating to national defence, security or other strategic considerations
from public consultation keeping in view the importance of critical/strategic and atomic minerals
for meeting India’s energy transition, defence preparedness, space research, and nuclear power
programme.
The Government has not received any representations or objections from environmental experts
or civil society organisations regarding the exemptions in question. The Government remains
committed to ensuring environmental protection, transparency, and public participation within
the existing regulatory framework.
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