Ministry : Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Not Applicable)
Part II-Section 3-Sub-Section (ii)
Subject : Extra Ordinary
Overview Mineral Conservation and Development (Amendment) Rules, 2026
This Extraordinary Gazette publishes amendments to the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017, specifically updating iron ore grading classifications and reporting requirements. The notification modernizes rules originally issued in 2017 (and further amended up to 2025) under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to refine mineral reporting standards.
Key Points
- Rule Amendments: Substitution of references to "rule 62" with "rule 66" of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 across multiple forms (F1, F2, F3, G1, G2, G3, L, M).
- New Iron Ore Grade Categories: Insertion of two new ROM (Run of Mine) ore grade categories for iron ore:
- Below 35% Fe (Hematite Ore Only)
- 35% to below 45% Fe (Hematite Ore Only)
- Reporting Standards: These grades are to be reported in all relevant forms (F1, F2, F3, G1, G2, G3, L, M) where iron ore grades are detailed.
- Effective Publication: The rules come into force on the date of publication (5 June 2026).
- Historical Amendments: The principal rules were originally published in February 2017 and have been amended six times prior (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, January 2024, April 2025).
Summary
This Gazette notification amends the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules to refine iron ore grade reporting by introducing two new ROM grade categories (below 35% Fe and 35–45% Fe hematite ore) and updating statutory references from rule 62 to rule 66 of the 2017 rules. These changes enhance the granularity of mineral reporting for iron ore and align documentation across multiple regulatory forms, supporting more precise monitoring and management of mineral resources. The amendments take effect immediately upon publication and reflect ongoing regulatory updates by the Ministry of Mines.
