2464 Pillar 5: Monitoring and Regulation Post-lease Clearance Since 2015, 690 mineral blocks have been auctioned in India, of which only 95 are currently operational. One of the major reasons for this is long delays in providing clearances and conflicts between communities and leaseholders due to an improper consent mechanism. Obtaining some of the primary clearances, such as Environment, Forest and Wildlife, along with Consent to Operate (CTO), can take up to 420 days or 1.2 years, per statutory timelines (Bansal & Kapoor, 2023). However, some mines in India have taken 5-6 years to obtain all clearances and commence operations. Streamlining of the post-lease clearance process and ensuring that companies strictly adhere to clearance requirements. In the Sterlite Copper case, invalid clearances granted to the company and repeated violations of emission norms led to protests by communities, culminating in the plant's closure. Systematic allocation of clearances within the prescribed timeline and inclusion of communities in the decision-making process are crucial for the long-term sustainability of mining in India. Project Monitoring Voluntary frameworks such as IRMA and RMI require companies to drive the initiative and adhere to the proposed norms. In India, responsible mining is largely driven by legislative processes, including environmental, forest, and other necessary clearances required before a project is operationalised. Across Odisha, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the capacity of government bodies to monitor the implementation of regulations is limited. Violations about open transport of ores, affluent discharge into water bodies, improper mine closure, and afforestation practices have not been scrutinised by the relevant authorities, leading to conflicts between stakeholders. Strict monitoring and enforcement of existing regulations are the first essential steps towards developing a more responsible future. Mine Closure Rules 22 to 27 of the MCDR 2017 talk about effective mine closure planning. Every mining lease holder must undertake progressive and final mine closure. The Indian Bureau of Mines have enlisted 82 abandoned non-fuel mine sites requiring rehabilitation. Among these, 34 abandoned mines are located in Madhya Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also have 12 abandoned mines which require urgent rehabilitation. However, there is no publicly available information on how many have been formally closed (Indian Bureau of Mines, 2025). Beyond environmental externalities, mine closure planning often overlooks the need for sustainable alternative livelihoods that uphold intergenerational equity for communities that have been dependent on mining and allied industries for decades. Given that the mining lease period in India typically spans around 50 years, changes not only affect the region's ecology and biodiversity, but also the wider socio-economic fabric undergoes a multitude of changes over this long time period. 6. CONCLUSION Key minerals like Lithium, Cobalt and Nickel have conflict-driven value chains due to high environmental externalities, child labour, unsafe work conditions and limited benefits to local communities. Reporting on these conflicts has led to increased government scrutiny and a consumer push for responsible practices across global mineral value chains. Countries with high mineral potential, like India, that aim to increase their contributions to global supply chains will require a re-examination of responsible practices in their domestic mineral sectors. Domestic legislation in India largely drives sustainable and responsible practices in the mineral sector, as companies have shown very limited interest in self-regulation. Important legislations such as DMF, PESA, FRA, and LARRA, which provide community benefits and protect their rights, have not led to improvements in basic amenities in mining regions. Limited recognition of forest rights has led to increased conflicts. The proposed framework requires coordination and shared
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