Assam Amends Minor Mineral Concession Rules to Facilitate Stone Mining on Private Lands

The Government of Assam has issued new regulations, titled the Assam Minor Mineral Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2025, which came into force on November 3, 2025, upon their notification in the Official Gazette. These rules represent a significant modification to the existing Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2013, and were enacted by the Governor of Assam under the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The primary objective of these amendments is to streamline and regulate stone mining activities on private lands, particularly those held under Myadi Patta, a type of land tenure in Assam. The amendments introduce specific provisions to allow land owners to offer their land for mining, aiming to integrate private land resources into the state's mineral extraction framework under defined conditions.

The newly inserted sub-rule (8) into rule 8 of the principal Rules outlines the key changes. It stipulates that a Myadi Patta holder, as the land owner, may offer their land for stone mining, provided the area is not below 20 hectares, and such operations are conducted under the Circular Economy Based Zero Waste (CEBZW) provisions. For smaller parcels of land, specifically those measuring 5 hectares or more but less than 20 hectares, land owners of Myadi Patta are permitted to lease their land for periods ranging from 5 to 20 years. A notable exemption for these private leases is that the provisions under sub-rule (5) of rule 5 of the principal Rules shall not apply, simplifying the process for smaller-scale private operations. Furthermore, for all private lands involved in mining, the requirement for tendering is waived, though all other relevant provisions of the rules remain applicable. The legislation provided: “In case the land belongs to a Myadi Patta holder, the land owner may offer his land, for an area not below 20 (twenty) hectares for stone mining under the Circular Economy Based Zero Waste (CEBZW) provisions.” The rules also clarify that the determination of rent and compensation payable to the land owner will be governed by the provisions outlined in Chapter 8 of the principal Rules. Crucially, all statutory clearances are mandated before any mining activity can commence, and any proposed mining operation must be duly included in the District Survey Report (DSR), ensuring environmental and regulatory oversight.

The legislative intent behind these amendments is to formalize and facilitate the extraction of minor minerals, specifically stone, from private lands, thereby potentially boosting local economies and ensuring a more regulated supply chain. Prior to these rules, the framework for Myadi Patta holders to engage in mining on their own land might have been less defined or subject to more cumbersome procedures, including the general tendering process. The amendments address these statutory gaps by creating a specific pathway for private land owners, recognizing their role in mineral resource management. By exempting private leases from the tendering provision, the government aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and encourage participation from land owners, while still maintaining regulatory control through mandatory statutory clearances and inclusion in the District Survey Report. The emphasis on Circular Economy Based Zero Waste provisions for larger operations also signals a policy rationale towards promoting sustainable mining practices and minimizing environmental impact. These changes introduce new rights for Myadi Patta holders to utilize their land for mining purposes under a structured legal framework, alongside clear obligations regarding environmental compliance and compensation.

Keywords: Assam, Minor Mineral Concession, Stone Mining, Myadi Patta, Amendment Rules, 2025, Circular Economy, Zero Waste, District Survey Report

Geo Tags: India, Assam District: Not Applicable