Bhubaneswar, April 7 -- In a significant move aimed at boosting mineral exploration and production in India, the Ministry of Mines has announced the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective from 30th March 2026. These amendments to the existing mining rules are designed to enhance the efficiency of mining operations by facilitating the inclusion of contiguous areas and associated minerals in existing mining leases.

The amendments have been introduced following the MMDR Amendment Act, 2025, which came into force on 1st September 2025. The primary objective of these reforms is to bolster the exploration and production of critical minerals, which are crucial for Indi...