The Indian Bureau of Mines has issued a fresh notification amending the fee structure for approving Final Mine Closure Plans. This update has been introduced under Section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, along with Rule 24 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017. The new order substitutes the earlier Gazette notification issued in February 2022, while keeping intact any actions already completed under the previous framework.
As per the revised decision, every Final Mine Closure Plan submitted to the Indian. The Bureau of Mines must now be complemented by a non-refundable fee. This fee applies to all minerals and mining areas covered under the relevant rules. However, the government has allowed a specific relaxation for miners handling Barytes, Felspar, Mica, or Quartz. If the closure plan for these minerals relates to an area up to 10 hectares and is filed on or before 31 December 2025, the payable fee will remain only one thousand rupees.
This update aims to bring clarity, improve regulatory consistency, and ensure that closure plans are submitted with proper accountability.