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Key initiatives of new Mineral Policy 2019

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The major focus of the new Mineral Policy preparation was to guide the mining sector to function with utmost environmental and social responsibility, prevention of illegal mining besides economic considerations, discusses Bhanu Prakash Bhatnagar.

The honourable Supreme Court, in its judgement in August 2017, made critical remarks that the National Mineral Policy existed that time, i.e. National Mineral Policy 2008 effectively could not deal with the challenges of the mining practices followed in India. It is not effective to stop the illegal mining activities prevailing in various States and asked the Indian Government for the development of a new mineral policy, which deals with many fundamental problems associated with mining activities, than fulfilling the mining sector’s economic mandate. The major fundamental problems included areunscientific mining, poor track records of environmental and social performance, and high instances of illegal activities.

The new Mineral Policy 2019
The major focus of the new Mineral Policy preparation was to guide the mining sector to function with utmost environmental and social responsibility, prevention of illegal mining besides economic considerations.The policy formation took more than one year, and has finally been developed is actually one that is a win-win for mining companies and investors for keeping promises towards instruction of honourable court and economic considerations. The policy document mentions that mining should be environmentally sustainable and equitable;it shall ensure environmental protection, ecological conservation and protect people’s rights in the mining areas.

The policy has a focus to ramp up mineral production massively, under the umbrella of "ease-of-doing businesses" and attracting investments. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to ensure this.

Finally, the new National Mineral Policy (NMP) 2019 was announced by Government of India, in March 2019. The major outcome expected from the policy proposals is to "increase the production of major minerals (in value terms) by 200 percent in seven years". The target is tied to the current Government’s "Make in India" initiative and to boost India’s economic growth by way of increasing the share of the manufacturing sector in the economy. The key vision of the new policy is an increase of domestic mineral production in a big way, which requires a holistic development of mineral sector on a sustainable basis in order to fulfil the demand of downstream industries dependent on mineral/ore supply and reducing trade deficits in the mineral sector during these seven years.

The objective of this policy has been linked with transparency, better regulation and enforcement, balanced social life and economic growth as well as sustainable mining practices. It is evident thatin mining, the possibilities of adverse effects on the environment are quite high, as the activities involved are against the nature.If these adverse effects are not contained or reduced to minimum, and the negative impact of mining could not be controlled. Sustainable mining is crucial for the promotion of inclusive growth of nation.

NewMineral Policy has inclusive approach for effectively regulation of minerals, Roles of State in Mineral development, prospecting and explorations, comprehensive database for mineral resources, scientific mining methods, thrust on infrastructure development, protection of environment, sustainable development of mining sector, welfare of project affected persons, R&R, effective mine closures, safety, mineral security, achieve with R&D activities and finally attracting foreign trade and investment for mining sector.

The major proposals of the mineral policy is:

  • Boost to "Make in India" Initiative with aim to increase the share of the manufacturing sector in the Indian economy
  • Holistic development of mineral sector on a sustainable basis to fulfil the demand of downstream industries dependant on mineral/ore supply
  • An increase of the production of major minerals (in value terms) by 200 per cent in seven years
  • Reduction of trade deficit in mineral sector by 50 per cent in seven years

Key initiatives of the policy that can be elaborated as focus on to:

  • Emphasis on suitably strengthen the regulatory agencies through capacity building measures in terms of adequate manpower, technology, equipment and skill set
  • The needs of domestic industry are full met keeping in mind both present and future needs
  • Attract private investment through incentives. Increase trust level among state agencies, miners, local communities and other stakeholders through a open, fair, better regulated, responsive and inclusive policy making
  • Identify critically fragile ecosystems and declare such areas as "no-go areas"
  • Encourages merger and acquisition of mining entities, and transfer of mining leases
  • Harmonising royalty and all other levies and taxes with mining jurisdiction across the world
  • Simplifying the clearance process and making it time-bound
  • Long term export-import policy for the mineral sector to provide stability for investing in large scale commercial mining activity
  • Ensuring welfare of mining-affected people/communities and ensuring rehabilitation and resettlement, by suitable implementation of all relevant acts/rules
  • Concept of exclusive mining zones, which will come with approved, in-principle clearances to curtail delay in commencement of mining operations.Main in-principle clearance is tied to forest land diversion for non-forestry purposes
  • The policy mentions that in case of delay, there shall be provisions for the project proponent to "generate triggers at higher level" in the online portal of clearances
  • Proposes development of an over-arching inter-ministerial body, under the aegis of the Ministry of Mines, to institutionalise mechanisms of sustainable mining and adequate concerns for environment and socio-economic issues. The body will also advise the Government on rates of royalty, dead rent etc.

Unsolved issues in current mineral policy:
The policy should have guided for framing of effective synergybetween the environment clearance and forest clearances processesto remove a fragmented approach while evaluating mining project impacts. In policy, the post-clearance monitoring also not been strengthened. The entire process has become a bureaucratic paperwork, with little focus on protecting environment and community.In all these, the only exception that the policy has mentioned about the "critically fragile ecological areas’, which it says should be declared as "no-go" and "inviolate’, to keep out from mining. For all other areas, ‘easing development’ is the prerogative.

The policy should have given guidance for specifying standards and outlining mechanisms for pollution monitoring in mining areas under the concerned laws. This should have at least been suggested for minerals which are having significant production, and have higher potential to cause environmental pollution. Although the Policy mentions about the protection of environment during extraction of minerals and to take a comprehensive view to protect forests, environment and ecology and to conserve the biodiversity. It also mention to use "renewable sources of energy at mining sites" to reduce pollution, carbon footprint and operational costs.

The policy has little mention on providing necessary guidance to ensure effective mine closure practices. Atpresent, law only ask for financial assurance in mining plan process (Rs 3 lakh per hectares for A category mines and 2 lakh per hectare for category B mines, which have been granted on a non-auction basis in MCDR 2017), for taking care of proper mine closure which is the current financial assurance for this is insufficient.

The Policy needs elaboration on providing necessary guidance on few fundamental concerns towards a strong guiding document to ensure environmentally and socially responsible mining as the Supreme Court had intended.This includes ensuring welfare of people in mining areas and securing their rights, it must improve mechanisms of giving various clearances, management of environmental pollution and preservation of natural resources, with which the lives and livelihoods of these people are intricately related.

Conclusion
It is prayed that the new Mineral Policy will address above issue to a large extent with improvement in environmentally sustainable mining practices. Sustained education is required to prevent and control environmental degradation in mining sites. Three things have been emphasised in the New mineral policy i.e. relief and rehabilitation of displaced and affected persons, devolution of mining benefits to project affected persons through District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and ensuring welfare of tribal communities.

The policy has also emphasises on implementing all the provisions of rehabilitation and resettlement as outlined in the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.However, given the focus for easing mining and attracting investments, ensuring the welfare of communities can only become postscripts of such activities.Sanctions, clearances and penalties should also be included by the government in making laws such that offenders of the same will be punished accordingly. Forest Department, Environmental Department, Mining Department, District Administration can play leading roles in the facilitation process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The article is authored by Bhanu Prakash Bhatnagar, Head Mining, Adani Cementation Ltd, Adani Corporate House, S.G. Highway, Ahmedabad.

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Concrete

India donates 225t of cement for Myanmar earthquake relief

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On 23 May 2025, the Indian Navy ship UMS Myitkyina arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port carrying 225 tonnes of cement provided by the Indian government to aid post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Myanmar. As reported by the Global Light of Myanmar, a formal handover of 4500 50kg cement bags took place that afternoon. The Yangon Region authorities managed the loading of the cement onto trucks for distribution to the earthquake-affected zones.

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Concrete

Reclamation of Used Oil for a Greener Future

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In this insightful article, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, explores how reclaiming used lubricants through advanced filtration and on-site testing can drive cost savings, enhance productivity, and support a greener industrial future. Read on to discover how oil regeneration is revolutionising sustainability in cement and core industries.

The core principle of the circular economy is to redefine the life cycle of materials and products. Unlike traditional linear models where waste from industrial production is dumped/discarded into the environment causing immense harm to the environment;the circular model seeks to keep materials literally in continuous circulation. This is achievedthrough processes cycle of reduction, regeneration, validating (testing) and reuse. Product once
validated as fit, this model ensures that products and materials are reintroduced into the production system, minimising waste. The result? Cleaner and greener manufacturing that fosters a more sustainable planet for future generations.

The current landscape of lubricants
Modern lubricants, typically derived from refined hydrocarbons, made from highly refined petroleum base stocks from crude oil. These play a critical role in maintaining the performance of machinery by reducing friction, enabling smooth operation, preventing damage and wear. However, most of these lubricants; derived from finite petroleum resources pose an environmental challenge once used and disposed of. As industries become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the paramount importance or focus is shifting towards reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the lifespan of lubricants; not just for environmental reasons but also to optimise operational costs.
During operations, lubricants often lose their efficacy and performance due to contamination and depletion of additives. When these oils reach their rejection limits (as they will now offer poor or bad lubrication) determined through laboratory testing, they are typically discarded contributing to environmental contamination and pollution.
But here lies an opportunity: Used lubricants can be regenerated and recharged, restoring them to their original performance level. This not only mitigates environmental pollution but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.

Circular economy in lubricants
In the world of industrial machinery, lubricating oils while essential; are often misunderstood in terms of their life cycle. When oils are used in machinery, they don’t simply ‘DIE’. Instead, they become contaminated with moisture (water) and solid contaminants like dust, dirt, and wear debris. These contaminants degrade the oil’s effectiveness but do not render it completely unusable. Used lubricants can be regenerated via advanced filtration processes/systems and recharged with the use of performance enhancing additives hence restoring them. These oils are brought back to ‘As-New’ levels. This new fresher lubricating oil is formulated to carry out its specific job providing heightened lubrication and reliable performance of the assets with a view of improved machine condition. Hence, contributing to not just cost savings but leading to magnified productivity, and diminished environmental stress.

Save oil, save environment
At Global Technical Services (GTS), we specialise in the regeneration of hydraulic oils and gear oils used in plant operations. While we don’t recommend the regeneration of engine oils due to the complexity of contaminants and additives, our process ensures the continued utility of oils in other applications, offering both cost-saving and environmental benefits.

Regeneration process
Our regeneration plant employs state-of-the-art advanced contamination removal systems including fine and depth filters designed to remove dirt, wear particles, sludge, varnish, and water. Once contaminants are removed, the oil undergoes comprehensive testing to assess its physico-chemical properties and contamination levels. The test results indicate the status of the regenerated oil as compared to the fresh oil.
Depending upon the status the oil is further supplemented with high performance additives to bring it back to the desired specifications, under the guidance of an experienced lubrication technologist.
Contamination Removal ? Testing ? Additive Addition
(to be determined after testing in oil test laboratory)

The steps involved in this process are as follows:
1. Contamination removal: Using advanced filtration techniques to remove contaminants.
2. Testing: Assessing the oil’s properties to determine if it meets the required performance standards.
3. Additive addition: Based on testing results, performance-enhancing additives are added to restore the oil’s original characteristics.

On-site oil testing laboratories
The used oil from the machine passes through 5th generation fine filtration to be reclaimed as ‘New Oil’ and fit to use as per stringent industry standards.
To effectively implement circular economy principles in oil reclamation from used oil, establishing an on-site oil testing laboratory is crucial at any large plants or sites. Scientific testing methods ensure that regenerated oil meets the specifications required for optimal machine performance, making it suitable for reuse as ‘New Oil’ (within specified tolerances). Hence, it can be reused safely by reintroducing it in the machines.
The key parameters to be tested for regenerated hydraulic, gear and transmission oils (except Engine oils) include both physical and chemical characteristics of the lubricant:

  • Kinematic Viscosity
  • Flash Point
  • Total Acid Number
  • Moisture / Water Content
  • Oil Cleanliness
  • Elemental Analysis (Particulates, Additives and Contaminants)
  • Insoluble

The presence of an on-site laboratory is essential for making quick decisions; ensuring that test reports are available within 36 to 48 hours and this prevents potential mechanical issues/ failures from arising due to poor lubrication. This symbiotic and cyclic process helps not only reduce waste and conserve oil, but also contributes in achieving cost savings and playing a big role in green economy.

Conclusion
The future of industrial operations depends on sustainability, and reclaiming used lubricating oils plays a critical role in this transformation. Through 5th Generation Filtration processes, lubricants can be regenerated and restored to their original levels, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic efficiency.
What would happen if we didn’t recycle our lubricants? Let’s review the quadruple impacts as mentioned below:
1. Oil Conservation and Environmental Impact: Used lubricating oils after usage are normally burnt or sold to a vendor which can be misused leading to pollution. Regenerating oils rather than discarding prevents unnecessary waste and reduces the environmental footprint of the industry. It helps save invaluable resources, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. All lubricating oils (except engine oils) can be regenerated and brought to the level of ‘As New Oils’.
2. Cost Reduction Impact: By extending the life of lubricants, industries can significantly cut down on operating costs associated with frequent oil changes, leading to considerable savings over time. Lubricating oils are expensive and saving of lubricants by the process of regeneration will overall be a game changer and highly economical to the core industries.
3. Timely Decisions Impact: Having an oil testing laboratory at site is of prime importance for getting test reports within 36 to 48 hours enabling quick decisions in critical matters that may
lead to complete shutdown of the invaluable asset/equipment.
4. Green Economy Impact: Oil Regeneration is a fundamental part of the green economy. Supporting industries in their efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise pollution is ‘The Need of Our Times’.

About the author:
KB Mathur, Founder & Director, Global Technical Services, is a seasoned mechanical engineer with 56 years of experience in India’s oil industry and industrial reliability. He pioneered ‘Total Lubrication Management’ and has been serving the mining and cement sectors since 1999.

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Concrete

Charting the Green Path

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The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.

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