NEW DELHI | March 28, 2016: Ministry of Mines has proposed a rating system for mining leases in a bid to ensure that firms follow sustainable development practices, which includes addressing social impact of resettlement and rehabilitation, among others.

"A Star Rating is proposed to be given to mining leases for the efforts and initiatives taken for implementation of the Sustainable Development Framework (SDF)," the Ministry said in a notification.

SDF provides guidance to mining companies to improve their performance not only with regard to environmental and social aspects, but also (provides) a common benchmark against which operations can be evaluated in terms of comparative performance on sustainable development norms.

The evaluation would be based on management of impact on the mining level by carrying out scientific and efficient mining, addressing social impacts of resettlement and rehabilitation requirements for taking up mining activities, the Ministry said.

Besides, activities such as local community engagement and welfare programmes, steps taken for progressive and final mine enclosure as well as over all reporting and adoption of international standards will also be a rating criteria, it added.

A senior government official said that mining leases which have been operational for more than 180 days in the year of reporting would be eligible for Star Rating.

"The leases would be rated in their category and the best performing leases would be given 5 stars," he added.

A provisional 'Star Rating' will be awarded to the mining lease after due submission of their practices based on SDF and the confirmation of star rating would be given upon the due verification in the next inspection by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), the official said.

"If the information given is found to be incorrect during the IBM inspection, the lessee, as well as the certifying institution/agency will be penalised," he said.

(Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)