Ministry of Mines Amends Mineral Conservation Rules for Calibrated Lump Ore

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, issued a notification on April 16, 2025, introducing the Mineral Conservation and Development (Amendment) Rules, 2025. These rules, enacted in exercise of the powers conferred by section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, modify the existing Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017. The primary objective of these amendments is to refine the classification and reporting mechanisms for specific types of iron ore, particularly "calibrated lump ore," which refers to sized iron ore lumps obtained after initial extraction and processing. The changes affect mineral leaseholders and operators who are required to submit various forms, including F1, G1, L, and M, by introducing a precise definition for calibrated lump ore and specifying its reporting grades. The new rules came into force immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette on April 16, 2025.

The legislative intent behind these amendments is to enhance the accuracy and specificity of mineral reporting, particularly concerning iron ore. The earlier statutory framework, while comprehensive, appears to have necessitated a more granular approach to certain mineral products. The amendments address potential gaps or ambiguities in the classification of iron ore by formally defining "calibrated lump ore" and establishing distinct reporting categories for it. This ensures that data collected for mineral conservation and development purposes is more precise and reflective of the actual mineral output. The legislation provided: “"calibrated lump ore" means the sized iron ore lumps obtained after crushing and screening of the run-of-mine ore, having size range between 5 mm and 40 mm and minimum Fe grade of 60% and above;” This new definition clarifies what constitutes calibrated lump ore, which is a specific processed form of iron ore obtained after crushing and screening the raw ore (run-of-mine ore). Furthermore, the amendments introduce detailed reporting grades for calibrated lump ore within Schedule-I of the principal rules, categorizing it by iron (Fe) content: 60% to below 62%, 62% to below 65%, and 65% and above, all within the 5-40 mm size range. A crucial clarification has also been added to prevent double-counting, stating that "Quantity already reported in Lumps should not be reported against CLO." This ensures distinct reporting for different forms of iron ore, thereby improving data integrity for regulatory oversight and resource management. These changes aim to streamline the reporting process for mining entities and provide regulators with more accurate information for policy formulation and enforcement related to mineral conservation and sustainable development.

Keywords: Mineral Conservation, Development Rules, Calibrated Lump Ore, Iron Ore, Mining Regulations, Ministry of Mines, Mineral Reporting, India, Mining Law Geo Tags: India District: Not Applicable