PANAJI | Jun 01, 2016: The ministry of mines has decided to accord starred status to leases depending upon their performance in safeguarding environment and forests while they are operational. The rating system could be used in granting faster clearances from regulatory bodies.
A 'star rating' on a scale of '1 to 5' will be awarded to the leases depending upon their efforts and initiatives taken while implementing the Sustainable Development Framework (SDF).
The best performing leases would be given 5 Stars. The rating scheme is designed to have a built-in compliance mechanism for environment and forest safeguards and will help in recognizing good performers in the sector while encouraging all mining lease holders to strive for excellence, a ministry notification stated.
The ministry said the platform would not only encourage sharing of best practices but also incentivize adoption. The 'rating' will be accorded initially for major mineral mines. Leases which have been operational for more than 180 days in the year of reporting would be eligible for star rating.
An evaluation template has been designed for the assessment of the SDF implementation in the mining lease based on the management of impact on forests and environment by carrying out scientific and efficient mining, addressing social impacts of our resettlement and rehabilitation requirements for taking up mining activities, local community engagements and welfare programmes, steps taken for progressive and final mine enclosure, and adoption of international standards.
The lessees would fill up the evaluation template online and accordingly a provisional 'star rating' would be awarded to the mining lease. The confirmation of rating would be done after inspection by the officials of Indian Bureau of Mines ( IBM ).
The mining leases would be awarded in their respective category of large, medium and small on the basis of the star rating evaluation. It is planned that workshops on the star rating system and filling up of evaluation template will be organized at the regional offices of the IBM.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)