Team Herald
PANJIM: From now on, the iron ore mining leases having no impact or minimal impact on environment and livelihood, would be awarded with ‘Stars’, with Union Mines Ministry on Wednesday notifying the ‘Star Rating of Mines’ system. The system aims at promoting sustainable development practices, which includes addressing social impact of resettlement and rehabilitation, among others.
“A ‘Star Rating’ will be awarded to the mining leases for their efforts and initiatives taken for implementation of the Sustainable Development Framework (SDF). One to five stars would be given to the mines. The best performing leases would be given 5 Stars,” Union Mines Ministry has said in its notification issued on Wednesday.
“The star rating scheme is designed to have a built-in compliance mechanism for environment and forest safeguards and will help in recognising good performers in the sector while encouraging all mining lease holders to strive for excellence,” Ministry said.
“The platform would not only encourage sharing of best practices but would also incentivise the adoption of best practices. The rating system in future may be useful in obtaining faster clearances from various regulatory bodies,” it added.
The Goa government has welcomed the move. It is looking at this concept as an encouragement to the lease holders to promote mining activities in sustainable manner.
“State government has been very much clear that the mining practice needs to adopt in sustainable manner. While renewing the mining leases, we have directed the lease holders to ensure implementation of sustainable development framework. The Union Ministry move is a step towards achieving the sole objective,” a senior official commented.
Supreme Court has also ruled that mining activities need to be undertaken in sustainable manner, the official added.
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. It will also consider steps taken for progressive and final mine enclosure and overall reporting and adoption of international standards.
As per the notification, the 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. The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) would inspect the mining site for the purpose.
The State government has recently renewed 89 mining leases in the State of which 15-17 have already commenced operation during the current season.
