#minor minerals

Gauhati HC upheld a ₹40 crore royalty demand against Simplex Infrastructures for extracting minor minerals without a permit under NH-52 project, ruling Rule 64 Assam Minor Mineral Rules imposes strict liability regardless of procedural lapses. The judgment reinforces statutory compliance obligations for contractors in infrastructure projects involving mineral extraction.

Gauhati HC rules that contractors must provide verifiable documentation under Assam Minor Mineral Rules to claim exemption from forest royalty on excavated earth reused internally in infrastructure projects. The court held that writ jurisdiction cannot bypass statutory compliance, setting a precedent for strict adherence to procedural proofs in mining and environmental law disputes.

J&K High Court rules that extraction of minor minerals (sand, boulders) from nallahs or private land requires statutory concession under the MMDR Act, 1957. Ownership, past practice, or royalty payments do not confer legal rights, and courts cannot direct authorities to bypass statutory compliance. The ruling reinforces the Public Trust Doctrine, impacting livelihoods dependent on unregulated mineral extraction.

Bombay High Court Nagpur Bench reinforces tribal autonomy under the PESA Act, 1996, ruling that Gram Sabha consultation is non-negotiable before minor mineral auctions in Scheduled Areas. The judgment directs Maharashtra to align its auction policy with PESA provisions, impacting mineral governance and tribal rights enforcement across Fifth Schedule regions.