Ministry of Mines Amends Rules for Evidencing Mineral Contents, Focusing on Gem-stones and Rare Earth Elements

The Ministry of Mines has issued a significant amendment to the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015, through a notification published in the Official Gazette on June 12, 2025. Titled the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Amendment Rules, 2025, this delegated legislation was enacted by the Central Government in exercise of powers conferred by section 13 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The amendment came into force immediately upon its publication, aiming to refine the technical specifications for assessing mineral contents, particularly for gem-stones and rare earth elements. The core of the amendment involves a comprehensive revision of Schedule-I, Part-III, in the Table of the principal rules, which outlines the detailed requirements for different stages of mineral exploration.

The key provisions introduced by these amendment rules involve the substitution of existing entries and the addition of new categories within the exploration guidelines. Specifically, serial number III, pertaining to gem-stones such as beryl, topaz, emerald deposits, and diamond, has been updated with more precise requirements for G4, G3, G2, and G1 stages of exploration. These stages represent progressive levels of geological exploration confidence, from reconnaissance (G4) to detailed feasibility studies (G1). The revised guidelines for gem-stones now specify activities like scout drilling, pitting/trenching per square kilometer, and borehole intervals to test the continuity of host rock, along with exploratory mine openings for bulk determination of grades and recovery at G2 and G1 stages. Furthermore, two new categories, IIIA and IIIB, have been introduced to specifically address Rare metal and Rare Earth Elements (REE). Category IIIA details exploration norms for REE occurring in pegmatites, reefs, and veins/pipes, prescribing specific pitting, trenching, and borehole spacing for each exploration stage. Category IIIB focuses on REE found in carbonatite and other alkali igneous rocks, further differentiating between tabular and lenticular deposits, and providing detailed borehole and sample spacing requirements for each G-stage. The legislation provided: “In the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules, 2015, in Schedule-I, in Part-III, in the Table, for serial number III and the entries relating thereto, the following serial numbers and entries shall be substituted, namely:...” This substitution and addition directly impact exploration companies, geologists, and regulatory bodies involved in the assessment and development of these critical mineral resources.

The legislative intent behind these amendments is to enhance the precision and standardization of mineral exploration practices across India. The earlier legal position, governed by the 2015 Rules, while foundational, presented certain limitations in addressing the unique geological characteristics and exploration complexities of specific mineral types, particularly high-value gem-stones and strategically important rare earth elements. The amendment addresses these statutory gaps by providing more granular and technically specific guidelines, thereby ensuring a more systematic and scientifically robust approach to evidencing mineral contents. This policy rationale aims to improve the accuracy of resource estimation, facilitate more efficient allocation of mining rights, and promote sustainable exploitation of these valuable minerals. By detailing specific methodologies for scout drilling, pitting, trenching, and borehole spacing at various G-stages, the rules seek to establish a clearer framework for exploration activities. The amendments do not introduce new rights or obligations but rather refine the existing procedural requirements for demonstrating the presence and extent of mineral deposits. The principal rules were initially published in 2015 and were last amended on January 21, 2024, indicating a continuous effort by the Ministry to update and adapt the regulatory framework to evolving geological understanding and technological advancements in mineral exploration.

Keywords: Minerals, Evidence of Mineral Contents, Amendment Rules, Rare Earth Elements, Gem-stones, Mining, Exploration, Ministry of Mines, India

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