Parliament Question: Mining Leases of Quartz and Feldspar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2794 ANSWERED ON 05.08.2026 MINING LEASES OF QUARTZ AND FELDSPAR †2794. DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to relax or simplify the existing rates of exploration for the purpose of preparing blocks for the auction to allocate the mining leases of quartz and Feldspar minerals in the country including Rajasthan;

(b) if so, the details of the proposed amendments, key provisions thereof and the time by which they are likely to be implemented and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of number of prospective mineral blocks of quartz and feldspar currently pending for auction/allocation due to the non-fulfilment of condition of exploration in Rajasthan, district-wise; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to make necessary amendments to the provisions regarding exploration and formation of blocks in order to increase the availability of critical industrial minerals, boost investments and meet the demands of the ceramic, glass and electronics industries and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a) & (b): The Central Government has amended the Mineral (Evidence of Mineral Content) Rules, 2015 vide G.S.R. 567(E) dated 03.07.2026. Through the said amendment, the exploration norms for auction of mining lease of quartz, feldspar, and mica have been simplified. Amended rules provide for auction of mining lease for quartz, feldspar, and mica occurring in pockets, lenses, veins and pegmatites and not associated with minerals specified in Part D of the First Schedule to the Act or the Seventh Schedule to the Act or high purity quartz at G3 level of exploration.

(c): Question does not arise in view of above.

(d): The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation), Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) was amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 with effect from 17.08.2023.

Through the said amendment, the Central Government has been empowered to exclusively auction mining lease and composite licence for 24 critical minerals listedin the Part-D of the First Schedule to the said Act. The Central Government has also rationalized the royalty rates of critical and strategic minerals.

Further, the MMDR Act was amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2025 with effect from 01.09.2025 whereby provision has been made for inclusion of any new mineral in the mining lease subject to payment of additional amount specified in the Eighth Schedule to the MMDR Act. For inclusion of critical & strategic minerals and deep-seated minerals in the mining lease, no additional amount is applicable.

This facilitates in increasing availability of critical industrial minerals, boosting investments and meeting the demands of downstream industries. *****