Parliament Question: Mining Activity in Rajasthan

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2861 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025 MINING ACTIVITY IN RAJASTHAN

2861. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the current status of mineral exploration and mining activities being undertaken in Rajasthan especially in Rajsamand district along with a list of minerals being explored or extracted;

(b) the steps being taken to attract private and public sector investment in critical mineral mining especially Rajsamand in Rajasthan;

(c) whether the Government is considering Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief or rationalisation measures to support mining operations in districts like Rajsamand which have significant mineral deposits and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the steps being taken to improve infrastructure, environmental safeguards and local employment opportunities in mineral-rich areas of Rajasthan like Rajsamand as part of a sustainable mining strategy? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines has taken up 79 mineral exploration projects in different parts of Rajasthan during the current field season 2025-26. Out of these, six mineral exploration projects have been taken up in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan. The mineral-wise and location-wise details of these six projects are given in Annexure. Further, one mineral exploration project for Rare Earth Elements (REE) & associated minerals (G3) has also been taken up in Borana block, Rajsamand district through funding by National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).

As regards the status of mining activities in Rajasthan, a total of 3008 mining leases are located in the State of Rajasthan out of which 1728 are working and 1280 are non- working. In Rajsamand district, Rajasthan, there are 778 mines out of which, 427 mines are currently working, while 351 are non-working. Among these 778 mines,three are for Lead Zinc (two working and one non-working), one is a Garnet mine

(working), and the remaining 774 mines are related to Quartz, Feldspar (Felspar), Mica, and Barytes.

(b): In order to attract private and public sector investment in critical mineral exploration in the country, including Rajasthan, the following incentives are provided through National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET):

(i) 100% funding for mineral exploration projects of exploration agencies.

(ii) Support for holders of Exploration Licenses and Composite Licenses by reimbursing exploration expenses upto 50% of the total expenditure incurred.

(iii) Exploration incentive of 25% of the approved projects cost of the G4 items for critical, strategic and deep-seated minerals to the exploration agencies if the block is successfully auctioned or upgraded to G3 stage.

(c): The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and exemptions are prescribed on the recommendation of the GST Council, a constitutional body having representation of Centre and the States/Union Territories. The Council has no recommendation on considering GST relief or rationalisation measures to support mining.

(d): The steps being taken to improve infrastructure, environmental safeguards, and local employment opportunities in mineral-rich areas of Rajasthan like Rajsamand as

part of a sustainable mining strategy are as follows:

(i) Steps for improvement of infrastructure facilities - construction of Village Roads, Community Centers, Drains, drinking water, school classrooms, digitization of schools, renovation etc.

(ii) Steps for environmental safeguards - continuous environmental monitoring of Air, Water, Noise, Vibration and real-time reporting of the parameters to Central Pollution Control Board/ State Pollution Control Board, plantation of trees, water recycling through sewage treatment plant, use of battery electric vehicle with an aim to reduce carbon footprints of mines, Greenbelt development around the mining lease.

(iii) Steps for local employment opportunities - local manpower employment in the working mines in Rajsamand district, conducting various skill development programs, focus on increasing the income of the farming community through sustainable farm practices, animal health camps conducted in collaboration with Animal Husbandry Department.Further, the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) established under the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, channel a portion of mining revenues into local development projects in various districts of Rajasthan, including Rajsamand, focusing on health, education, drinking water, and livelihood generation.

*****Annexure The District-wise and Mineral-wise details of mineral exploration projects taken up by GSI in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan during field season 2025-26 Location of Mineral UNFC District Mineral Block/ Area stage Rajsamand Rajnagar-Morchana-Banai G4 Copper Rajsamand Khempur-Charana G4 Copper REE, RM (Rare Rajsamand Deogarh-Anjana-Lasani G4 Metals) Rajsamand and Bhupalsagar G4 Copper Chittorgarh Rare Earth Elements Rajsamand and Udaipur Pasun G4

(REE) Rajsamand, Ajmer and Ramgarh – Kheri Ka G4 REE Bhilwara Khera –Patan