In the federal structure of India , the State Governments are the owner of minerals located within the boundary of the State concerned.  The Central Government is the owner of the minerals underlying the ocean within the territorial waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.  In this connection, entry at serial No. 23 of List II (State list) to the Constitution states ‘Regulation of mines and mineral development subject to the provisions of List I with respect to regulation and development under the control of the Union’, while entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Central list) states ‘Regulation of mines and mineral development to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest’.  In pursuance to entry at serial No. 54 of List I, the Central Government have framed legislation titled Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 as Central Act No. 67 of 1957.

The State  Governments grant the mineral concessions for all the minerals located within the boundary of the State, under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 framed thereunder. Under the provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957 and MCR, 1960, prior approval of the Central Government is required in the following cases:

- Granting mineral concessions in respect of minerals specified in 
  the First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and 
  Regulation) Act, 1957.

- Granting areas under prospecting licence and mining lease to a
  person in excess of limits prescribed under Section 6(1)(a) and
  Section 6(1)(b) of the Act.

- Imposing special condition(s) in mining lease under Rule 27(3),
  in prospecting licence under Rule 14(3) and in reconnaissance
  permit under Rule 7(3) of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 over
  and above the conditions prescribed in MCR, 1960.

- Granting mineral concession in an area previously reserved by
  the Government, or previously held under a mineral concession,
  without first notifying the same by relaxing the provisions of Rule
  59(1) of MCR, 1960 under Rule 59(2).

- Revision of any order made by State Government with respect
  to any mineral except a minor mineral.

- Relaxation of Rules in special cases under Section 31 of the Act,
  keeping in view the interest of mineral development.

Guidelines reg. speedy processing of Mineral Concessions and return of Mineral Concession proposals where information/clarification

Forwarding Letter- Minutes of the third meeting of the Central Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee (CEC) to monitor and minimize delays in grant of approvals for mineral concessions, held on Friday, the 18th June, 2010 in Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi .

Minutes of the 3rd Meeting of Central Coordination-cum-Empowered Committee(CEC) to monitor and minimize delays in grant of approvals for mineral concessions, held on 18th June, 2010 in Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi

Meeting with State Government officers on issues relating to Mineral Concessions - F.No.7/56/2010-M.IV dated 11.06.2010

Guidelines on map dated 03-09-2009 and 25-6-2010

Agenda notes for the 3rd Meeting of the Central Coordination-cum­-Empowered Committee to monitor and minimize delays in grant of approvals for mineral concessions, to be held on Friday, the 18th June, 2010 at 11.00 AM in Aluminium Room, First Floor, D Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

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