#Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules

Kerala High Court holds that once a miner avails the statutory reduction scheme under the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015, the penalty under Rule 108 cannot be waived. The ruling reinforces strict compliance with penalty provisions, impacting miners and state authorities in enforcement actions.

The Kerala High Court has ruled that lawful removal of laterite stones under statutory permits entitles the extractor to police protection, but only if a 3-meter buffer is maintained from adjacent properties to prevent structural collapse. This sets a critical precedent for minor mineral operations near residential zones, balancing resource rights with property safety.