Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015

The petitioners, environmental NGOs, filed a writ under Article 32 seeking a halt to mining in forest areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, declaration of illegal mining contracts, and removal of the ban on export of iron ore and pellets. The Supreme Court had earlier imposed a blanket ban on mining in Bellary, Chitra…

The partnership firm Gotan Limestone Khanji Udhyog held a mining lease in Rajasthan and converted into a private limited company, obtaining State permission to transfer the lease. The company then sold its entire shareholding to Ultra Tech Cement Limited for Rs 160 crore, effectively transferring the lease without stat…

Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd. sought a mining lease for iron ore to feed its steel plant. The State of Odisha had earlier agreed, under an MoU, to recommend the petitioner's case to the Central Government, but the Supreme Court found that the State had complied by sending its recommendation. The petitioner argued that a 2…

The State of West Bengal appealed against a High Court order directing the execution of a mining lease for dolomite to M/s. Chiranjilal (Mineral) Industries (the respondent). The dispute centered on whether the respondent's 1998 application for a mining lease remained eligible under the Mines and Minerals (Development …

The Supreme Court examined whether mining leaseholders, whose operations were suspended for lack of environmental clearances, retained a subsisting right to mine. It held that a lease remains subsisting unless a State Government order declares it lapsed, and that the lease period may be deemed extended under Rule 24A(6…