Assam Modifies Minor Mineral Concession Norms and Lease Durations

The Government of Assam, through its Environment, Forest Climate Change Department, issued a significant Notification on October 22, 2025, which came into force upon its publication in The Assam Gazette Extraordinary on October 31, 2025. This directive introduced revised guidelines for the extraction and management of minor minerals within the state. The notification was prompted by the escalating demand for minor minerals in Assam, alongside a specific Order from the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India dated February 27, 2012, in SLP (C) No. 19628/19629 of 2009 and I.A. No. 12/13 of 2011. Further impetus for these changes came from a communication received from the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest Climate Change, North East Regional Office, Shillong, dated January 24, 2018. The new regulations mandate that the minimum size for Minor Mineral Concession areas located within notified forests of the State shall not be less than five hectares. Concurrently, the minimum period for any Minor Mineral lease or contract was stipulated to be not less than five years. For concession areas that are currently smaller in size, a cluster approach was directed for their management. The notification also provided for the extension of existing Minor Mineral Concession Areas operating below five hectares up to the five-hectare threshold, subject to feasibility assessments. Such extensions necessitate obtaining all requisite statutory clearances and must be accurately reflected in the District Survey Report (DSR). To enhance transparency and accessibility, all approved DSRs, along with their annexures, appendices, and any amendments, were required to be invariably uploaded on the respective District Web Portals or Websites.

The legislative intent behind this notification was to establish a more structured and environmentally compliant framework for minor mineral extraction in Assam. The earlier legal position likely permitted smaller concession areas and shorter lease periods, which could have led to fragmented mining operations and challenges in effective environmental monitoring and regulation. The new provisions aim to address these statutory gaps and limitations by standardizing the minimum operational scale and duration for mining activities. The legislation provided: “In order to meet the increasing demand of Minor Minerals in the State and in view of Order dated 27th February, 2012 of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in SLP (C) No. 19628/19629 of 2009 and I.A. No. 12/13 of 2011 and communication received from Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest Climate Change, North East Regional Office Shillong vide letter No. RONE/MISC/AS/2014-SHI3041-43 dated 24th January, 2018, the Govt. of Assam is hereby pleased to order that:” This clearly indicates a policy rationale rooted in both economic demand and environmental governance, driven by judicial directives and central government communications. The introduction of a cluster approach for smaller areas and the mandatory extension of sub-five-hectare operations to the new minimum size are designed to consolidate mining activities, thereby facilitating better oversight and environmental management. The requirement for statutory clearances for extensions and the public uploading of District Survey Reports (DSRs) serve as crucial enforcement mechanisms, promoting accountability and transparency in the minor mineral sector. These measures are expected to streamline the process of obtaining environmental approvals and ensure that mining operations adhere to prescribed environmental norms, ultimately contributing to sustainable resource management within the state.

Keywords: Assam, Minor Minerals, Mining Regulations, Environmental Clearance, Forest, Concession Areas, Lease, District Survey Report, Government Notification Geo Tags: India, Assam District: Not Applicable