SC permits sale of minerals from expired leases; allows mining block amalgamation with safeguards
The Supreme Court's three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, has approved an 11-condition framework for the sale of minerals from expired mining leases in Karnataka. The conditions have been declared mandatory for all such disposals.
The Court also permitted the amalgamation of mining blocks across different categories with virgin forest land for auction, subject to strict statutory and environmental safeguards. It clarified that mere amalgamation or composite lease execution does not automatically authorise mining in virgin forest areas without required statutory approvals.
The order emerges from prolonged litigation over mining activities in Karnataka. The High Court has been directed to resolve a pending question on whether particular leased land constitutes revenue or forest area, preferably within three months.
