Updated on 12 Jun 2026
Amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 is done through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. Some of the objectives of this act include redefinition of the lease area, provision for transfer of captive mining lease and empowering the government to prescribe the transfer charge.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 (Act No. 25 of 2016), has been passed by the Parliament and promulgated in the Gazette of India on 9th May 2016. In this regard, amendments have been made to some sections of the MMDR Act, 1957 relating to leased areas, captive mining leases, and transfers. Amendment to section 3 has been made to define “leased area” and it is provided that minerals mean minerals excluding mineral oils. Further, section 12A has been amended by inserting subsections wherein it has been provided that a mining lease otherwise than by way of auction can be transferred if minerals are to be used for any captive purpose on certain conditions and by paying transfer charges. Furthermore, the power has been given to the Central Government under section 13 to make rules with respect to such transfers.