This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Mines' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 674, answered on July 23, 2025, regarding the classification of minerals under Indian mining laws.
The core issue addressed is the inclusion of specific minerals into the "major mineral" category. According to Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), major minerals are defined as all minerals that are *not* declared as minor minerals by the Central Government.
Specifically, Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz have been reclassified as major minerals via Notification No. S.O. 924(E) dated February 20, 2025.
The environmental clearance procedures for these minerals are governed by the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (as amended), under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and are administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Central Government issued an order on May 1, 2025, under Section 20A of the MMDR Act, outlining transitory provisions for existing mining leases of these minerals.
Following the reclassification, existing leases for Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz are now subject to the provisions of the MMDR Act and its associated rules applicable to major minerals.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: A ministry of the Government of India, responsible for the administration of mines and minerals.
Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary: A Member of Parliament (MP) who raised a question in Lok Sabha regarding the classification of minerals.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy: The Minister of Coal and Mines who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: An act of the Parliament of India that regulates the mining sector in India.
Barytes: A mineral that has been reclassified from a minor mineral to a major mineral.
Felspar: A mineral that has been reclassified from a minor mineral to a major mineral.
Mica: A mineral that has been reclassified from a minor mineral to a major mineral.
Quartz: A mineral that has been reclassified from a minor mineral to a major mineral.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 674
ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
GUIDELINE FOR INCLUSION OF MINERALS IN 'MAJOR MINERAL' CATEGORY
674. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the criteria for classifying a mineral as a "major mineral" under Indian
mining laws;
(b) whether there are any guidelines/clarifications on the grant of mining leases for
mica, quartz, feldspar and barytes under the major mineral category and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the addition of minerals to the major category affects environmental
clearance procedures and compliance norms and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government will ensure the interests of local communities and small-
scale miners are protected after reclassification, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of regulatory mechanisms proposed to manage newly added major
minerals effectively?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a): As per Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act,
1957 (MMDR Act, 1957), “minor minerals” means building stones, gravel, ordinary
clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes and any other
mineral which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
declare to be a minor mineral. All other minerals are considered as major minerals.
(b): The Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3(e) of
the MMDR Act, has classified the minerals Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz as major
minerals vide Notification No. S.O. 924 (E) dated 20th February, 2025.
(c): The norms for grant of environmental clearance are governed as per the
Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, as amended from time to time,
issued under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which is
administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.(d): The Central Government, vide Order dated 1st May, 2025 issued under Section
20A of the MMDR Act, has made certain transitory provisions to facilitate smooth
transition of existing mining leases granted in respect of these minerals from minor
minerals to major minerals.
(e): Pursuant to reclassification of minerals Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz as
major minerals, the existing leases of these minerals are now regulated in accordance
with the provisions of the MMDR Act and the Rules framed thereunder in respect of
major minerals.
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