KOLKATA (miningweekly.com) - The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) has proposed setting up an enforcement wing with the responsibility to provide technical assistance to the proposed mining sector regulatory authority in its investigation and prosecution of offenders, and to maintain data on illegal mining activities across the country.

This was one of the key recommendations made by a committee set up to review and restructure the functions of the IBM in view of the rapid changes being experienced in the Indian mining sector.

As envisaged, the enforcement wing of the IBM would be headed by the controller of mines (enforcement), report directly to the chief controller of mines (regulations) and keep track of rules and regulations of the IBM’s various zonal offices, as well as oversee adherence, where mining activities were located, to provincial government’s laws.

The committee has also recommended redrawing the territorial jurisdiction of IBM’s regional offices to the boundaries of various Indian provinces to effectively govern the mining sector in synergy with government forest departments and directorates of mining and geology at the provincial level.

It was noted that the awareness levels about the IBM among various mining sector stakeholders was extremely low, which necessitated the creation of a national mineral processing governing council. The council, which would be headed by the Mines Ministry Secretary, would have representation from across the mining industry, ensuring greater participation from private sector companies and also framing and appraising yearly plans for mining in the country.

In view of India’s increasing focus on offshore mining projects, the IBM proposed enhancing its regulatory capacity by setting up an offshore mineral development and regulation cell, with offices in Visakhapatnam on the east coast along the Bay of Bengal and in Kochi on the west coast.

The creation of an enforcement wing for the IBM is significant against the backdrop of widespread illegal mining across the country and the resultant political storm in federal and provincial governments. This has resulted in the imposition of a complete ban on iron-ore mining in Karnataka and Goa, with one investigative body pegging national loss of revenue from illegal mining in Karnataka at $9-billion.

Investigations into illegal mining were currently under way by multiple agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigations; the Centrally Empowered Committee, appointed by the Indian Supreme Court; and the Shah Commission.