Law Updates

Subject

Summary: 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.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has issued the Mineral (Auction) Third Amendment Rules, 2025 under section 13 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The amendment introduces significant updates to the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015, focusing on simplifying mineral sales, lease management, and compliance alignment. Under the revised rules, captive mine leaseholders can now sell minerals produced from their mines after meeting specified conditions, replacing the earlier restriction that capped market sales at 50 % of total production. The amendment also ensures that newly found minerals within a lease area may be included in the mining lease in accordance with section 15B, thereby improving procedural clarity. Additional modifications across rules 10, 16, and 18 insert cross-references to “section 15B and the rules” to harmonize legal provisions. Furthermore, rule 21 prohibits the inclusion of atomic minerals, meeting the notified threshold value, within leases meant for non-atomic minerals. These reforms aim to streamline mineral governance, boost transparency, and ensure responsible resource utilization.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has issued an amendment to the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025. This step has been taken under the powers conferred by Sections 16, 17, and 25 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards. This amendment is considered essential in the public interest to ensure proper regulation and quality control of refined zinc. Under the new amendment, the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, will now formally come into force from April 17, 2026, replacing the earlier provisions. The modification was published in the Official Gazette and ensures that all stakeholders, including manufacturers and traders, adhere to the updated timelines and quality standards. This amendment strengthens the government's commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in the zinc industry, ensuring safety, consistency, and compliance in production and trade. All units dealing with refined zinc are expected to follow the revised order from the above date.

Subject

Summary:   The Central Government has issued an amendment to the Tin Ingot (Quality Control) Order, 2025 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. This step has been taken after due discussion with the Bureau of Indian Standards to serve public interest and ensure better regulatory clarity. The amendment has amended the commencement clause of the earlier order. Originally, the order was to come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. However, the updated provision now states that the Tin Ingot (Quality Control) Order, 2025, will formally come into force from April 17, 2026. This change provides a clear timeline for industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, and importers, to comply with the mandatory standards. By permitting additional time before implementation, the government aims to facilitate implementation and ensure compliance without disruption to trade and the supply chain. The amendment shows the government’s approach of balancing regulatory enforcement with practical considerations for industry readiness.

Subject

Summary: The Ministry of Mines has issued the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2025, effective from July 21, 2025. These updated mining rules bring several changes to improve mineral regulation in India. Rule 44 removes clause (ia), and Rule 45 includes new minerals like Zirconium, Caesium, and Rubidium for pricing and reporting. The Indian Bureau of Mines will now publish the average sale price of Rubidium based on global data and RBI’s exchange rates. Rule 67 shifts authority from State to Central Government for certain mineral matters and changes references to the “Atomic Minerals Directorate.” Rule 68 clarifies legal wording and gives more control to the Central Government. These mining regulation amendments help align Indian mining laws with global standards and support better resource management. This change enhances transparency and ensures accurate mineral pricing, helping attract more investment in India's mining sector.