Latest news with #OffshoreAreasAtomicMineralsRules
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
No Central nod for private participation in mining of atomic minerals, clarifies ministry
The Union Ministry of Mines has termed 'misleading and factually incorrect' some media reports which suggested that the Union government has permitted private sector participation in the exploration and mining of atomic minerals such as uranium and thorium from the country's offshore regions by notifying the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules, 2025. The Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 provide the procedure for the grant of operating rights for atomic minerals only to the government, government companies, or corporations and not to private entities. Parliament, through the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2023, amended the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, with effect from August 17, 2023. The first provision to Section 6 of the OAMDR Act, 2002 explicitly restricts the grant of exploration licences, composite licences, or production leases for atomic minerals to the government, government companies, or corporations only, subject to prescribed conditions notified by the Union government. Further, under Section 35 of the OAMDR Act, 2002, the Union government is empowered to frame rules for the effective implementation of the Act. Accordingly, the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 were notified on July 14, 2025 in consultation with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the nodal department for regulating atomic minerals. The rules provide the procedure for the grant of operating rights for atomic minerals only to the government, government companies, or corporations. Media reports suggesting otherwise are not factual, the statement said. The Ministry of Mines reaffirms its commitment to transparency and adherence to legislative mandates, and will ensure that the exploration and mining of atomic minerals remain under strict regulatory control in accordance with national security and policy considerations, the statement said.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Centre Denies Reports On Private Entities Rights To Mine Atomic Minerals
New Delhi: The government has denied reports suggesting that it has permitted private sector participation in the exploration and mining of atomic minerals such as uranium and thorium from the country's offshore regions by notifying the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules, 2025. The Ministry of Mines called such media reports "misleading and factually incorrect". The Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 provide the procedure for the grant of operating rights for atomic mineral only to the government, government companies, or corporations and not to private entities. "It is important to state that Parliament, through the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2023, amended the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, effective from 17th August 2023," said the ministry. The First proviso to Section 6 of the OAMDR Act, 2002 explicitly restricts the grant of exploration licences, composite licences, or production leases for atomic minerals (specified in Part B of the First Schedule to the MMDR Act, 1957) to the Government, Government companies, or corporations only, subject to prescribed conditions and threshold values notified by the Central Government. Further, under Section 35 of the OAMDR Act, 2002, the Central Government is empowered to frame rules for the effective implementation of the Act. Accordingly, the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 were notified on 14th July 2025 in consultation with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the nodal department for regulating atomic minerals. "The rules provide the procedure for the grant of operating rights for atomic mineral only to the Government, Government companies, or corporations. In light of the above, the media reports appear to be not consistent with the facts, provisions of the relevant Acts, Rules, and policy frameworks governing atomic minerals in India," the ministry further informed. The government said it reaffirms its commitment to transparency, adherence to legislative mandates, and ensuring that the exploration and mining of atomic minerals remain under strict regulatory control in accordance with national security and policy considerations.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala slams Centre's move to permit offshore atomic minerals mining
Offshore mining rules are threat to coastal livelihoods Kerala's coastline, along with parts of Odisha and Tamil Nadu, is known for its rich deposits of beach sand minerals that contain thorium—crucial for India's nuclear energy ambitions. Rajeeve said the rules would disproportionately impact Kerala, home to public sector undertakings involved in beach sand mineral processing. 'This will jeopardise not just the operations of these PSUs but also the thousands employed by them,' he said. Equally alarming, according to the state, is the environmental damage that deep-sea mining can cause. 'Offshore atomic minerals mining will severely disrupt fragile marine habitats, destroy fish stocks, and collapse food chains,' the minister warned. 'It will directly affect the livelihoods of lakhs of traditional fishers who depend on these waters.' He accused the Centre of ignoring Kerala's repeated objections while moving forward with plans to permit exploration and mining in areas adjacent to the state's maritime boundaries. 'The sudden notification of these rules, without dialogue or transparency, is unacceptable,' he said. Calling the move an 'injustice to coastal states,' Rajeeve demanded the complete withdrawal of the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules, 2025. 'The Centre must understand that this is not merely a matter of resource exploitation — it is a question of environmental protection, constitutional rights, and human survival,' he said.
