Updated on 16 Jun 2026
The Ministry of Coal has issued the Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which amend the principal rules of 1960. The important features include provision for extension of mining plan outside the block boundary, a clear definition of procedure for making "minor changes" in the approved mining plan with the approval of the Board, and participation of the Coal Controller along with the Regional Controller.
The Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2025, notified on 20th May 2025 by the Ministry of Coal through G.S.R. 323(E), provide necessary amendments in the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with the objective of making the process more flexible and efficient in coal mining. These amendments have been made in Rules 22B, 22E, and 29A which pertain to mining plans, mine expansions, and regulatory approvals. According to these rules, approved mining plans are now not limited to any block boundary, provided an NOC is obtained from the State Government along with certification from the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL). Some other relaxations have also been allowed in the process of minor modification in approved mining plans wherein the approval of the company's Board of Directors has been made mandatory with notification to the Coal Controller. The process of granting approval for temporary closure of the mines has also been simplified.