New Delhi: The MMDR Act 2026 will address long-standing operational bottlenecks in the mining sector by bringing greater uniformity and predictability, said NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee on Thursday.
On August 13, Parliament passed the MMDR Bill, which sought to restrict states' powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
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"The President of India has officially assented to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, ushering in a landmark reform for the mining sector," NMDC said in a statement.
The amendments made by the government will address long-standing operational bottlenecks in the mining sector by bringing greater uniformity and predictability, said Mukherjee, who is also the Ficci Mining Committee Chair.
It would help curb non-uniform state taxes and unexpected cesses that have increased the burden on mineral extraction and created uncertainty for the mining industry, he said.
"The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 directly resolves long-standing operational bottlenecks by curbing non-uniform state taxes and unexpected cesses that burdened mineral extraction," Mukherjee said.
According to the CMD, greater certainty in the taxation and levy framework could encourage fresh capital investments in the mining sector and accelerate exploration and development of mineral resources.
"This will unlock capital investments, accelerate exploration of minerals, and make domestic mineral production globally competitive," he said.
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He also welcomed the government's efforts to undertake structural reforms in the mining sector, saying the industry would benefit from a more predictable policy environment.
"We deeply thank the Government of India for championing this transformative reform," Mukherjee said.
The amendment comes as India seeks to expand domestic mineral production and strengthen resource security amid rising demand for minerals from sectors such as steel, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and emerging technologies.
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