**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the response to Unstarred Question No. †524 in Lok Sabha, answered on 03.12.2025, regarding reclamation work of expired mines, specifically in Rajasthan. The Minister of Mines addresses concerns about lack of earth filling and reclamation, incidents of mine collapse, and the provisions for mine safety after lease expiry. The key legislation governing reclamation is identified, along with provisions for enforcement.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Incidents of Mine Collapse:**
* One case of soil collapse in a closed quarry area was reported in Makrana Tehsil, Didwana-Kuchaman District in the last three years.
* No human or animal loss occurred in this incident.
* **Major Minerals Reclamation:**
* Rule 12 of the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession Rules, 2016 [MCR, 2016] prescribes the ‘Terms and Conditions of a Mining Lease’.
* Rule 12(1)(m) of the MCR, 2016, mandates the lessee to restore the affected landform to the extent possible.
* Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 provide for systematic and scientific development, closure, reclamation, and rehabilitation.
* Condition 3.2(iv) of 'Rights and Obligations' of Mining Lease under Schedule VII of the MCR, 2016, mandates the lessee to take measures for environmental protection like planting of trees, reclamation of mined land, and use of pollution-control devices at their own expense.
* **Minor Minerals Reclamation (Rajasthan):**
* Rule 29(13) of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rule, 2017, outlines reclamation provisions in accordance with the approved final mine closure plan.
* Under Rule 29(18), if the lessee fails to initiate reclamation in an expired mining lease according to the approved plan, the financial assurance submitted may be forfeited.
* If the availability of minerals is proved in the expired mining lease, there is a provision to auction that area again as per the rules.
**Impact Analysis**
**Lessee of Mining Leases**
*Impact:*
The lessee is responsible for adhering to the MCR, 2016, and Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017, regarding mine reclamation and rehabilitation. In Rajasthan, lessees of minor mineral mines are subject to the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rule, 2017, concerning mine closure and reclamation.
*Action Required:*
Must undertake systematic and scientific mine development, ensure environmental protection through measures like planting trees and using pollution-control devices, adhere to approved mine closure plans, and initiate reclamation activities upon lease expiry. Failure to comply may result in financial assurance forfeiture or potential auction of the expired lease area.
**Government of Rajasthan**
*Impact:*
The Government of Rajasthan has reported one case of soil collapse in a closed quarry area in the last three years.
*Action Required:*
The Government of Rajasthan is responsible for providing information regarding incidents of mine collapse and ensuring the enforcement of rules and regulations related to mine reclamation and closure within the state.
Key Entities Referenced
Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession Rules, 2016 [MCR, 2016]: Prescribes the ‘Terms and Conditions of a Mining Lease' including provisions for land restoration by the lessee.
Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017: Prescribes provisions for systematic and scientific development and provisions for closure, reclamation and rehabilitation of mines.
Rajasthan: State where mines are located and incidents of collapse, water-logging, and cattle-breeder falls have been reported.
Ministry of Mines: The central government ministry responsible for the subject matter of the parliamentary question regarding mine reclamation.
Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rule, 2017: Rule relating to reclamation of minor minerals in accordance with the approved final mine closure plan.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †524
ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
RECLAMATION WORK OF EXPIRE MINES
†524. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) whether several mines in various mining areas of Rajasthan have neither been
subjected to earth filling nor had reclamation work has been undertaken even after the
expiry of the lease-period leading to rainwater logging and severe threats of impending
accidents, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the incidents like collapse of the closed down mines, water-logging and
falling of the cattle-breeders have constantly been reported in several districts including
Makrana in Rajasthan;
(c) if so, the number of such incidents reported during the last three years including
action taken thereon;
(d) whether there is clear mention in the lease agreements that on the expiry of the lease
period the mine shall be made safe be filing it with soil, debris and stones; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (c) As per the information provided by the Government of Rajasthan, one case of
soil collapse in the closed quarry area has been reported in Makrana Tehsil, Didwana-
Kuchaman District in the last three years. No human or animal loss occurred in this
incident.
(d) & (e) In respect of major minerals, the ‘Terms and Conditions of a Mining Lease’ is
prescribed under Rule 12 of the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy
Minerals) Concession Rules, 2016 [MCR, 2016]. As per Rule 12(1)(m) of the MCR,
2016, the lessee shall restore, to the extent possible, the landform affected by the mining
operations. Further, Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 prescribe
provisions for systematic and scientific development and provisions for closure,
reclamation and rehabilitation.Further, there is a condition 3.2(iv) of ‘Rights and Obligations’ of Mining Lease under
Schedule VII of the MCR, 2016 which provides that the lessee shall take measures, at
his own expense, for the protection of environment like planting of trees, reclamation of
mined land, use of pollution-control devices, and such other measures as may be
prescribed by the Central or State Government from time to time.
Further, as per the information provided by the Government of Rajasthan, in respect of
minor minerals, there is a provision under Rule 29(13) of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral
Concession Rule, 2017 for reclamation in accordance with the approved final mine
closure plan. In an expired mining lease, if the lessee fails to initiate reclamation in
accordance with the approved final mine closure plan, the financial assurance submitted
by the lessee may be forfeited under Rule 29(18) of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral
Concession Rules, 2017. But if the availability of minerals is proved in the expired mining
lease, then there is a provision to auction that area again as per the rules.
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