Industry leaders hail passage of MMDR Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

• 'Amendments in the MMDR are reflective of the fact that the government considers mining sector as a key contributor to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat'

• 'The introduction of composite license regime would enhance mineral exploration and production in the country'

New Delhi: Industry leaders have hailed the passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2021, saying that the step is reflective of the fact that the government considers mining sector as a key contributor in achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. In an official statement released on Saturday, FICCI said, "FICCI acknowledges Government's efforts to deliberate and usher recent reforms in the Indian mining sector. These reforms will play a fundamental role in enhancing mining sector's contribution to the employment and GDP of the country, contributing immensely to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Though the Bill has been cleared yesterday in Lok Sabha, it is yet to be tabled in Rajya Sabha."

Tuhin Mukherjee, Chair, FICCI Mining Committee and Managing Director, Essel Mining and Industries Ltd. termed the amendments as a step forward for enabling mining sector's contribution to the Nation's Economic Growth. "With these reforms in the Indian mining and mineral sector, the government has embarked on increasing the sectoral contribution to the Indian GDP and also to increase the competitiveness, ease of doing business and creating a favourable investment environment for the sector," he added.

Mukherjee said that these amendments would increase the mine development and mineral production in the country and would enhance the self-reliance for mineral based industries. He also thanked the government for considering many of FICCI's representations and recommendations on the subject.

'MMDR Amendment bill will enhance mineral production'

Rahul Sharma, Co-Chair, FICCI Mining Committee and CEO, Aluminium and Power, Vedanta Ltd said, "Amendments in the MMDR are reflective of the fact that the government considers mining sector as a key contributor to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. These amendments shall result in enhancement of mineral production across the spectrum, creating more jobs and will be a major boost to critical industries like cement, aluminium and steel, which are primarily dependent upon key raw materials provided by the mining sector. A renewed focus on exploration will attract huge investments." He also applauded the Government's move for promoting ease of transfer for non-auctioned captive mines to increase mineral production from such mines in the country.

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Pankaj Satija, Co-Chair, FICCI Mining Committee and Chief Regulatory Affairs, Tata Steel Ltd. Said, "FICCI acknowledges the government's approval on the much-awaited mining reforms to address various issues of the sector. The amendment for transfer of all statutory clearances till the exhaustion of mineable reserves would lead to faster operationalisation of mines by the successful bidders and would ensure raw material sufficiency for end use sectors."

'Composite license regime will attract both domestic, foreign investment'

Sumit Deb, Co-Chair, FICCI Mining Committee and CMD, NMDC said, "The introduction of composite license regime would enhance mineral exploration and production in the country, alongside attracting investments both from domestic as well as foreign investors." He acknowledged the reform of exploring the possibility of making NMET an autonomous body, for better utilisation of NMET funds and increasing the mineral exploration in the country, aligned to the changing requirements.

India has abundant mineral resources, out of which a significant portion is yet to be harnessed. Availability of mineral resources would play a crucial role in determining India's growth trajectory towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat and achieving a USD 5 trillion economy. Through this legislative action, the government has shown its commitment to usher in much needed reforms in the Mining sector and bolster its growth rate, said the statement.

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