Regulatory & Sector-specific
Mining and Natural Resources
Advice on mineral concessions and auctions, mining compliance and safety, and the clearances and disputes that follow.
Mining is governed by a layered framework of mineral law, environmental regulation and contract, in which the right to a mineral concession is now largely allocated by auction. The firm advises businesses on acquiring and holding mineral concessions, on compliance and safety obligations, and on the regulatory and contractual disputes that arise in the sector.
These matters are approval and document driven, and they sit at the intersection of central and State regulation. The firm advises on the concessions, the clearances and the contracts together.
Mineral concessions and auctions
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as amended, governs the grant of mineral concessions, with major mineral blocks now allocated through auction. The firm advises on participating in auctions, on the grant and transfer of mining leases and composite licences, and on the conditions attached to a concession.
Compliance and safety
A mining operation must meet obligations on safety under the Mines Act, 1952, on the environment and forests, and on payments and reporting to the State. The firm advises on building and maintaining this compliance, and on responding when a regulator alleges a breach.
Clearances and disputes
Mining depends on environmental and forest clearances, and disputes commonly arise over the grant or cancellation of a concession, over royalties and dues, and over the conditions of operation. The firm advises on obtaining clearances and conducts the resulting regulatory and contractual disputes.
The legal framework
The principal statutes and the provisions that most often decide these matters. Statute text can be read in the firm's Legal Library; always check the current version at the official source.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 · Act 67 of 1957
- Concessions — the grant, auction and conditions of mineral concessions and mining leases.
Mines Act, 1952
- Safety — the safety and working conditions regime for mines.
Environmental clearances
- Clearances — the environmental and forest clearances a mining operation requires.
Key judgments
Grouped by issue. Each case is cited from the court's own record; open a heading to read it.
Public trust & sustainable mining 1
Goa Foundation v. Union of India Supreme Court
(2014) 6 SCC 590
Held that mineral resources are held by the State in public trust and cannot be exploited in breach of environmental law and sustainable-development principles; the deemed mining leases in Goa were held to have expired, and mining carried on in violation was treated as unlawful.
Compensation for illegal mining 1
Common Cause v. Union of India Supreme Court
(2017) 9 SCC 499
On illegal iron and manganese mining in Odisha, the Court held that mining without environmental clearance is unlawful and directed recovery of compensation equal to the full value of the minerals illegally extracted, reinforcing the polluter-pays and public-trust principles.
How we work on these matters
The firm advises on the concession, the clearances and the operating contracts together, since a mining project depends on all three.
Compliance and safety obligations are treated as central to the operation, not as paperwork, because a breach can halt a project.
Advice on regulatory exposure and on the strength of a concession or claim is given candidly.
Frequently asked questions
How is a mining concession obtained now?
After the reforms to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, major mineral blocks are largely allocated by auction rather than by discretionary grant. The firm advises on participating in auctions and on the grant, transfer and conditions of mining leases and composite licences.
What clearances does a mining project need?
Beyond the mineral concession itself, a project generally needs environmental and, where forest land is involved, forest clearances, along with State-level approvals. These should be planned from the outset, because they govern whether and when operations can begin.
Our concession or operation is under challenge. Can you help?
Yes. The firm advises on disputes over the grant or cancellation of a concession, over royalties and dues, and over operating conditions, before the regulators and the courts, prepared on the record and the terms of the concession.
This note is general information on the law as at Jun 2026, not legal advice on any specific matter. The law changes; for advice on your facts, please speak to the firm.
Tell us about your matter.
Share the facts and we will tell you, candidly, where you stand and how we can help.