The Ministry of Mines has notified Amendments to the Mineral Concession Rules, paving way for inclusion of contiguous area and associated minerals in the Mining Lease. The Amended Rules provide simple and time-bound provisions for processing the application made by the holder of a mining lease or composite license of deep-seated minerals for a one-time extension of the area to include therein a contiguous area. The Ministry of Mines said that the rules further provide the manner of inclusion of any other mineral, including a minor mineral, in a mining lease. It also mandates the State Government to permit such inclusion within 30 days of the application. The Ministry added that the Amendment also provides the manner of inclusion of major minerals in a lease granted for minor mineral which was executed before the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2025.