India, Sept. 21 -- The Environment Ministry has streamlined procedures for mining project proponents to utilise or sell "overburden" and "rejects" such as rock and soil, as well as sub-grade minerals generated during mining operations.

Under the amended procedure, overburden and rejects generated during ongoing or past mining operations can be utilised through an amendment to the existing environmental clearance (EC), subject to prescribed conditions.

Legacy sub-grade minerals stocked within the mining lease area can also be utilised through an amendment to the existing EC, according to the ministry.

For sub-grade minerals generated during ongoing mining operations, their utilisation must be included in the approved mining plan and mus...