Date | Nov 07, 2017:

To address resentment from the tribal inhabitants against mineral exploration activities in the State, the Government has suggested making prior consultation with the tribal community before taking up any mining activity in the state as mandatory in a draft mineral policy put in the public domain on November 3.

The draft policy called Jharkhand State Mineral Policy 2017’, which talks about policy interventions in the mining in the tribal dominated belts through State agencies, has suggested several other reforms to change the way mining is conducted in Jharkhand.

“The State shall as far as possible ensure that mining in tribal areas, if unavoidable, is done through State agencies in collaboration with local tribals or by tribal organisations such as Tribal Cooperatives, Forest Labour Cooperatives if they are found having experience, technical competence and financial capability. The State shall facilitate setting up of such institutions and ensure arrangement for technical support and financial credit for marketing of the ore,” says the draft policy presented to gather comments till 13th of this month.

Utilisation of mine waste, promoting zero waste mining, mining closure plans have also been inducted into the policy.

Beside this, the policy talks extensively about relief and rehabilitation by avoiding displacement of host population due to mining related activities and providing accessible platform for registering and redress of the grievances of the displaced, if necessary.

“Where displacement does take place, project assistance packages will be put in place in collaboration with the mining company in the light of resettlement and rehabilitation policy of the State,” reads the draft. R&R policy mentions about employment assistance, land for land, housing, relocation assistance, allowances, etc.

The policy intervention of this kind holds significance since more and more clamours for change kept coming from different parts of the State where land acquisitions processes are to be initiated for mining and related activities. Often the courts have also commented adversely on the Government in the want of any such policy.

“The policy would equip the department with a well set guideline for mining and quarrying activities, both for the investors that we want here to come and the affected people. We are open to suggestions before publishing final policy supposedly by the end of this month,” said Mines Commissioner Aboobacker Siddique.

Coming to most crucial area, illegal mining, the draft vows to take steps to improve regulatory provisions and involve local population in the process.

“High resolution satellite data will be used for detecting encroachments and illegal mining. Henceforth to ensure the accuracy of location of mining area, grid-based maps will be made mandatory for grant/renewal of mining leases,” mentions the policy, besides pressing in sophisticated equipment to track illicit mineral transportation along with mobile squads.

On exploration front, the policy talks about joint venture with public sector units. “The purpose is mineral exploration as well as setting up mineral based industries trough globally invited tenders. Another important area is forest clearances and the Government would ensure speedy processing of cases involving forest land. Unacceptable and irreparable damage to ecology and environment would be avoided and fragile areas would be identified,” added the Commissioner.

The policy is also for facilitating mineral based industries in the State which was the main aim of the recently concluded ‘Jharkhand Mining Show’.

It also aims at developing infrastructure such as installation of conveyor belts, ropeways and environment friendly techniques, development of bypasses and PPP mode and establishment of end use plant near the mine.

(Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/)