12.07.2015 Views

National Mineral Policy 2006 - Department of Mines

National Mineral Policy 2006 - Department of Mines

National Mineral Policy 2006 - Department of Mines

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Chapter 3Forest Conservation and Environment Protection(Term <strong>of</strong> Reference no. 3)To review the procedures for according clearance to mineral exploration and mining projectsunder the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 andsuggest ways for speeding them upNEED FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT3.1 Exploration, development, production, and disposal <strong>of</strong> minerals affect theenvironment and ecology <strong>of</strong> the mined area. Mining has to be done in a way that causes leastdamage to natural resources such as air, water, soil, and biomass. The two statutes mentionedin the TOR, viz. FCA and EPA, impose certain restrictions on prospective miners. Clearancesare required under these statutes to ensure that the mining operations <strong>of</strong> the prospectiveminers are carried out in such a way as to conserve forests and protect the environment. Thedelays that occur in the grant <strong>of</strong> these clearances mainly relate to the assessment <strong>of</strong> measuresdesigned and proposed to be undertaken by prospective miners to achieve these ends. Beforedealing with the adequacy and efficacy <strong>of</strong> the assessment methodology it would beworthwhile to review the best practices internationally in the area <strong>of</strong> environmentmanagement. If conditions in India are aligned to these best practices the delays can beeliminated.3.2 Internationally, there are two separate but linked developments that need to beexamined. First, the International Institute <strong>of</strong> Environment Development and the WorldBusiness Council for Sustainable Development jointly completed a study known as the‘Mining, <strong>Mineral</strong>s and Sustainable Development’ (MMSD) Project and published its resultsin 2002 in the report ‘Breaking New Ground’. 1 This report has set the benchmark for allnatural capital related issues connected with mining anywhere in the world. Secondly, theInternational Council <strong>of</strong> Mining and Metals (ICMM) in dialogue with the World1 ‘Breaking New Ground: Mining, <strong>Mineral</strong>s and Sustainable Development’, The Report <strong>of</strong> the MMSD Project,Earthscan Publications Ltd, London and Sterling VA .66

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!