For Prelims: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), Major vs Minor Minerals, Nodal Department, Total closed mining leases, Key Act referenced, State rule for minor minerals, Current context
For Mains: Mineral governance, Auction-based allocation, Sustainable mining, State revenue, Illegal mining
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren directed the resumption of 111 closed mining leases.
- Of 111 closed leases, 62 are for coal and 49 for other major minerals.
- The Department of Mines and Geology is the nodal department.
- 300 out of 444 Category-II sand ghats have been auctioned.
- The MMDR Amendment Act 2015 is referenced for cancelling inactive leases.
Why in the news?
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has directed the resumption of 111 closed mining leases (62 coal, 49 other major minerals) through auction. The move aims to restart stalled mineral extraction and curb illegal mining, with the MMDR Amendment Act 2015 referenced for cancelling pre-2015 inactive leases.
Summary
- Jharkhand has 165 coal mining leases, of which 103 are operational and 62 are closed; 58 closed coal leases belong to BCCL, CCL and ECL.
- Of 85 leases for other major minerals (iron ore, bauxite, limestone, graphite, copper, uranium), 36 are operational and 49 are closed.
- The state also aims to auction 144 remaining Category-II sand ghats out of 444, with CCTV surveillance to prevent illegal sand mining.
Highlights
111 Mining Leases to Restart
Jharkhand government will auction 111 closed mining leases (62 coal, 49 other major minerals) to resume extraction and boost revenue.
MMDR Act Framework
The resumption follows the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2015, with inactive pre-2015 leases to be cancelled and re-auctioned.
Sand Ghats and Illegal Mining
Of 444 Category-II sand ghats, 300 have been auctioned; the remaining 144 will be auctioned soon, with CCTV and check-posts to curb illegal sand lifting.
Background
Jharkhand, rich in coal and other minerals, has 165 coal mining leases of which 62 are closed. Additionally, 49 leases for major minerals like iron ore, bauxite, limestone, graphite, copper and uranium are non-operational out of 85. Many leases were stalled due to land acquisition issues or lack of environmental and forest clearances.
Key Analysis and Impact
The directive seeks to cancel inactive leases and re-auction them to restart mining; it emphasizes scientific and sustainable mining, speeding up exploration and auctioning (including gold blocks), and curbing illegal sand mining through CCTV, check-posts and district task forces.
Way Forward
Leaseholders must obtain land acquisition, environmental and forest approvals before mining. The state will expedite exploration and auction of gold blocks. The 144 remaining sand ghats will be auctioned at the district level, with LOIs issued soon. Regular meetings of district task forces will monitor illegal mining.
Jharkhand connection
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act)
- The central law governing the mining sector in India. It regulates the exploration and production of minerals, and was amended in 2015 to introduce auction as the sole method for granting mineral concessions.
- Major vs Minor Minerals
- Major minerals include coal, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, etc., regulated by the central government. Minor minerals (sand, gravel, stone) are regulated by state governments under their own rules, such as the Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession Rules 2004.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 111 closed mining leases (62 coal + 49 other major minerals) in Jharkhand
- Nodal Body: Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Jharkhand
- Legal Point: MMDR Amendment Act 2015 (for cancellation of pre-2015 inactive leases)
Don't make this mistake!
Do not confuse 'major minerals' (coal, iron ore, bauxite) with 'minor minerals' (sand, stone). The MMDR Act 1957 governs major minerals, while state rules govern minor minerals. Also, 111 is the total closed leases, not the number of operational ones.
Write these in mains answers
- Mineral governance, Auction-based allocation, Sustainable mining, State revenue, Illegal mining
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Jharkhand has 111 mining leases that are not operating. The Chief Minister has ordered these leases be auctioned again so mining can restart. The state will also auction sand ghats and use CCTV and task forces to curb illegal sand mining.
- Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren directed the resumption of 111 closed mining leases.
- Of 111 closed leases, 62 are for coal and 49 for other major minerals.
- The Department of Mines and Geology is the nodal department.
- 300 out of 444 Category-II sand ghats have been auctioned.
- The MMDR Amendment Act 2015 is referenced for cancelling inactive leases.
- Geography: Mineral and energy resources of India
- Economy: Mineral governance and state revenue
Related concepts: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), Major vs Minor Minerals
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which department of the Jharkhand government is primarily responsible for implementing the directive to restart closed mining leases?
Explanation: CM Hemant Soren directed the 'Department of Mines and Geology' to resume closed mining leases. The Department of Forest and Environment handles clearances, but the nodal department for mining leases is Mines and Geology.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the mining lease resumption in Jharkhand:
- 1.A total of 111 closed mining leases are to be restarted, including 62 coal leases and 49 leases for other major minerals.
- 2.The MMDR Amendment Act 2015 is used to cancel inactive leases granted before 2015 and re-auction them.
- 3.All 444 Category-II sand ghats in Jharkhand have already been auctioned.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the news mentions 111 closed leases (62 coal + 49 other). Statement 2 is correct: the MMDR Amendment Act 2015 is referenced for cancelling pre-2015 inactive leases. Statement 3 is incorrect because only about 300 out of 444 sand ghats have been auctioned; 144 remain.
- Q3Medium
How many coal mining leases are currently operational in Jharkhand, according to the news?
Explanation: Out of approximately 165 coal mining leases allocated in Jharkhand, 103 are operational and 62 are closed. 165 is the total allocated, and 111 is the total closed leases across all minerals.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the Jharkhand government's directive to re-auction closed mining leases?
Explanation: The news's stated measures focus on restarting stalled leases and curbing illegal sand mining (CCTV, check-posts, task forces).
Frequently asked questions
1. How many closed mining leases will be restarted in Jharkhand?
111 closed mining leases will be restarted, including 62 coal leases and 49 leases for other major minerals.
2. Which department is implementing the resumption of mining leases in Jharkhand?
The Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Jharkhand, is implementing the directive.
3. What is the role of the MMDR Amendment Act 2015 in this decision?
The MMDR Amendment Act 2015 is used to cancel inactive leases granted before 2015 and re-auction them.
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- Original7 November 2026 · Read story
