ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to highlight India’s policy framework regarding mining sector, sustainable mining and mine closure in particular. The present paper is important because sustainable mining and mine closure being a serious problem around the globe, India introducing stringent regulation to handle the address environmental concerns and to analyse these norms in the context of mining in Meghalaya. The early mining operations has adversely affected the environment by way of contaminated surface water and groundwater, ugly and unstable tailings with acid rock drainage, and dangerous open adits, have conferred the mining industry with both fame and defame. Paper discusses the concept of mine closure and its development over the years and also the contribution of ‘Social License’, ‘Financial Assurance’, standards set by ‘International Financial Bodies’, etc. Paper also tries to highlight the existing mining scenario in the state of Meghalaya with a brief overview of the mining sector in the region. In addition this 310part shall also discuss the Economic and Livelihood concerns raised due to the April 17, 2014 ban on “rat-hole’ coal mining in Meghalaya by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) through an interim order. The paper also tries give an overview of the entire legal framework for mining in the country by discussing a brief history of the mining sector, amendment made in respect of mine closure and the integrated approach to adopt the sustainable development framework. It is difficult to arrive at any conclusion regarding the effectiveness of policies. Mining processes are time taking processes, mostly continues for many decades and only at the end of the mine life cycle an evaluation could be possible. The mining sector is in the rise in India and the policies of prospecting mine closure plan and post closure along with other environmental jurisprudence will help the mining sector to be sustainable sector. Keeping in view the approach for sustainability in mining sector there is more stringent provisions likely to come under the preview of legal framework in the years to come.
