**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Mines' response to Unstarred Question No. 2028 in the Lok Sabha, answered on February 11, 2026. The question concerned the implementation of transparent mineral leasing, NMET-funded projects, community development obligations related to mining activities, and environmental safeguards. The response clarifies the Government's practices and statistics related to these areas.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Mineral Leasing and Project Sanctioning:**
* The government grants mineral leases through auction and sanctions NMEDT-funded projects transparently.
* Since 2015, 612 mineral blocks have been auctioned, and 656 projects sanctioned by the NMEDT.
* District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fulfills community development obligations.
* **Operational Mining and Exploration in Specific Districts:**
* In Katni, Panna, and Chhatarpur districts, 11 mineral concessions, 96 mining leases, and 9 NMEDT-funded exploration projects are operational.
* No constraints have been reported with respect to mining activities in these districts.
* **Employment and Welfare:**
* Approximately 1.3 crore employment was generated in the mining sector, according to a study by the Skill Council for Mining Sector (SCMS).
* 1,313 apprentices were engaged by Central Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Mines in FY 2024-25.
* DMF contributions from mining activity are utilized for welfare works for local communities.
* **Environmental Safeguards and Grievance Redressal:**
* Statutory clearances, including Environmental and Forest Clearances, are mandatory before granting mineral concessions.
* Public consultation is conducted as part of Environmental Clearance.
* Prospective lessees must carry out Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) and submit Environment Management Plans (EMP).
* Mining lease holders implement environmental mitigation measures as approved during the grant of Environmental Clearance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Local Communities**
* **Impact:** Benefits from community development obligations fulfilled by the DMF, utilization of DMF contributions for welfare, and consideration of concerns through public consultation in environmental clearance processes.
* **Action Required:** Participate in public consultations during the environmental clearance process.
**Stakeholder: Mining Lease Applicants/Holders**
* **Impact:** Subject to transparent mineral leasing processes, environmental regulations, and community development obligations.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with statutory clearances, conduct EIAs, submit EMPs, implement environmental mitigation measures, and fulfill community development obligations.
**Stakeholder: Central and State Government Departments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for granting statutory clearances and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
* **Action Required:** Enforce transparent mineral leasing processes, conduct thorough environmental assessments, and monitor compliance with environmental regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET): A trust that funds projects related to mineral exploration.
District Mineral Foundation (DMF): An entity that utilizes funds from mining activities for community development obligations.
Ministry of Mines: The ministry responsible for matters related to the mining sector.
Madhya Pradesh: State where mineral concessions and mining leases are operational in the districts of Katni, Panna and Chhatarpur.
Skill Council for Mining Sector (SCMS): A council that conducted a study on employment generated in the mining sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2028
ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
NATIONAL MINERAL EXPLORATION TRUST
2028. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is implementing transparent mineral leasing, NMET-
funded projects and community-development obligations to ensure local benefit
from mining and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any mineral exploration licences, mining leases or NMET-supported
projects are operational in the districts of Katni, Panna and town of Khajuraho in
Khajuraho Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the local employment generated, training provided and utilisation
of lease/National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions for welfare works;
(d) whether mining faces constraints in these districts and if so, the details thereof
along with the reasons and steps for fair compensation, rehabilitation and livelihood
support; and
(e) the safeguards to ensure transparent grievance redressal, environmental
protection and preference to local residents in mining-related employment?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a): The Government grants mineral leases by auction and NMEDT-funded projects in
a transparent manner. Since 2015, total of 612 mineral blocks auctioned and 656
projects sanctioned by the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust
(NMEDT). Further, the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fulfills the community
development obligations.
(b) to (d): As per the information received from Government of Madhya Pradesh, 11
mineral concessions (CL & ML) have been auctioned, while 96 other mining leases
and 9 NMEDT-funded exploration projects operational in Katni, Panna and Chhatarpur
districts and no constraints have been reported with respect to mining activities in
these districts.
As per a study conducted by the Skill Council for Mining Sector (SCMS),
approximately 1.3 crore employment was generated in mining sector in the country
and 1,313 apprentices were engaged by Central Public Sector Undertakings under theMinistry of Mines in FY 2024-25. Further, DMF contribution received from mining
activity is utilized for welfare works for local communities.
(e): Before grant of mineral concessions, it is mandatory to obtain requisite statutory
clearances from various departments of the Central Government and respective State
Governments, including Environmental Clearance and Forest Clearance. As part of
grant of Environmental Clearance, public consultation is done to address the concerns
of local community. The prospective lessees carry out Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) and submit the Environment Management Plan (EMP) based on
scientific study by taking into consideration likely impact of project activity on the
baseline environment. The mining lease holders implement the environmental
mitigation measures as approved during grant of Environmental Clearance. The above
safeguards ensure that mining activity is aligned with public interest.
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