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Major and Minor Minerals

Posted 24 Mar 2025

Updated 28 Mar 2025

3 min read

Why in the news?

The Ministry of Mines has reclassified Barytes, Felspar, Mica, and Quartz from minor minerals to major minerals.

More on the news

  • This move follows the recent approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission by the Union Cabinet.
  • Reclassification is based on recommendations from an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by Dr. V. K. Saraswat.

Reason for Reclassification

  • The decision to shift these minerals to the major minerals category is based on their association with critical minerals and their importance in various high-tech industries.
    • Critical minerals are those minerals that are essential for economic development and national security (Ministry of Mines). 
  • Quartz, Felspar, and Mica in Pegmatite Rocks
    • These minerals are found in pegmatite rocks, which also contain essential critical minerals like Beryl, Lithium, Niobium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Tin, Titanium, and Tungsten.
    • Earlier, when these minerals were leased as minor minerals, leaseholders did not report or extract the critical minerals present.
  • Baryte and its Industrial Significance
    • Baryte often occurs in concretions and vein fillings in limestone and dolostone, alongside ores of Antimony, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, and Silver.
    • It has extensive industrial applications in oil and gas drilling, electronics, TV screens, rubber, glass, ceramics, paint, radiation shielding, and medical applications.
The below image give benefits of reclassification such as support for energy transition and technology, stronger industrial applications, ectended lease and better regulation, etc.

About Major and Minor Minerals

  • A mineral is a natural substance of organic or inorganic origin with definite chemical and physical properties, forming the building blocks of rocks and ores.
  • Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957, minerals are broadly classified in two categories, i.e. major minerals and minor minerals.
  • Minor minerals means building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes and any other mineral which the Central Government may declare to be a minor mineral.
  • Major minerals include all minerals other than minor minerals. E.g. Coal, Iron, Zinc, Limestone etc.
  • Framework for Governance:
    • Legal Framework for Mineral Regulation: The MMDR Act, 1957 is the primary law governing the mining sector, except for petroleum and natural gas.
    • The GoI has framed additional rules for mineral management: 
      • Mineral Concession (MC) Rules, 1960: Regulates permits, licenses, and leases for all minerals except Atomic and Minor Minerals.
      • Mineral Conservation and Development (MCD) Rules, 1988: Ensures conservation and systematic development of minerals.
    • Role of State Governments in Mineral Regulation:
      • Section 15 of MMDR Act, 1957: Gives State Governments the power to make rules for minor minerals
      • Section 23C of MMDR Act, 1957: Empowers State Governments to prevent illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals.
      • Section 9 (b) of the MMDR Act as amended in 2015: Mandates the State Government to establish District Mineral Foundation Trust in every district affected by the mining operation.
  • Tags :
  • Major and Minor Minerals
  • Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957
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