Directorate of Mines and Minerals - Commerce and Industries Department - West Bengal

FAQs

1. What are the locations of the Offices of the Mining Estate Branch and its jurisdiction ?

(i) O/O. The Chief Mining Officer, M.E. Branch, Court Road, Asansol – 4.
JURISDICTION : a) In case of Coal – Whole State of West Bengal ; b) In case of Non-Coal – Burdwan District.
(ii) O/O. The Mining Officer in-charge of Purulia Zone, M.E. Branch, G.P. Branch Campus, Deshbandhu Road, Purulia – 723 101.
JURISDICTION : Districts of Purulia, Bankura and East & West Midnapur.
(iii) ) O/O. The Mining Officer in-charge of Suri Zone, M.E. Branch, Shantineer, P.O. Suri, Dist. Birbhum.
JURISDICTION : Districts of Birbhum and Murshidabad.
(iv) O/O. The Mining Officer in-charge of Hoogly Zone, M.E. Branch, Uttar Rabindranagar, Chinsurah, Dist. Hoogly.
JURISDICTION : Districts of Hoogly, Howrah, North 24 Prgs. and South 24 Prgs.
(v) O/O. The Mining Officer in-charge of Siligurii Zone, M.E. Branch, 86, Tarasankar Road, Deshbandhupara, P.O. Siliguri, Dist. Darjeeling.
JURISDICTION : Districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.

 

2. To whom the applications of RP, PL and ML in respect of Major Minerals are to be submitted ?

In case of Coal, applications are to be submitted to the Chief Mining Officer AND in case of Non-Coal Major Minerals, applications are to be submitted to Mining Officers in-charge of respective jurisdiction areas.

 

3. From where one can get information on mineral resources of West Bengal?

The information on mineral resources of West Bengal can be obtained from the office of State Directorate of Mines and Minerals or from the Geological Survey of India, Kolkata.

 

4. How one can obtain geological reports on mineral deposits / resources ?

The geological reports on mineral deposits/resources found in West Bengal can be obtained from the GSI or the State Directorate against the cost depending on the strength of database generated as per the data dissemination and pricing policy adopted by the GoWB.

 

5. Who is empowered to grant RP / PL / ML ?

The Commerce and Industries Department, Govt. of West Bengal is empowered to grant RP / PL / ML.

 

6. To whom the applications of RP, PL and ML in respect of Minor Minerals are to be submitted ?

In case of in-situ hard rocks, i.e. Stone, Granite, Laterite etc., application is to be submitted to the Mining Officers in-charge of respective jurisdiction areas.

AND

In case of Riverbed Materials, i.e. Sand, Boulder and Brick Earth, Mining Lease is to be granted through Auction by sealed tender by the respective District Magistrates as per Amendment of WBMMR, 2002. Enquiry in this issue is to be made at the Office of the District Magistrates / DLLROs.

 

7. Whether Mine Plan is to be submitted along with the application of ML ?

No. After grant of the precise area by the State Government, the applicant shall submit the mine plan  duly prepared by the RQP.

 

8. What is the maximum period for which a mining lease is granted ?

In case of Major Mineral the period shall not exceed 30 years (the minimum period is 20 years)

In case of Minor Minerals (in-situ hard rocks) the period shall not exceed 5 years but may be extended subject to consideration of the State Government for it is required fr proper development and mechanization of mine.

In case of River Bed Materials, the period shall not exceed 2 years.

 

9. What is the minimum size of Mining Lease ?

In case of Major Minerals :-
1 Hectre in respect of Small Deposit,
2 Hectre in respect of Beach Sand / Placers,
4 Hectre in respect of All Mineral Deposits

In case of Minor Minearals :-
No person shall acquire in the State one or more mining lease covering a total area in excess of 3 Sq. Km.
No person shall acquire in the State one or more mining lease covering a total area in excess of 2 Sq. Km. (in case of River bed Materials).

 

10. Is there any provision to transfer mining  lease?

Yes. The Lessee, with consent of the State Government, can transfer the mining lease after fulfilling the provisions laid down under the existing Rules (for details, please see M.C. Rules, 1960 and WBMMR, 2002).

 

11. Can mining leases be amalgamated for proper development and mechanization of mine ?

Yes. The Lessee can amalgamate two or more mining leases after obtaining approval from the State Government in the interest of mineral development.