In India, which are officially designated as major minerals
Consider the following minerals:
- Bentonite
- Chromite
- Kyanite
- Sillimanite In India
which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
- 1 and 2 only
- 4 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: D
Explanation
Major minerals are those specified in the first schedule appended in the MMDR Act. There is no official definition for "major minerals" in the MMDR Act. Hence, whatever is not declared as a "minor mineral" may be treated as the major mineral.
The central government has the power to notify "minor minerals" under section 3(e) of the MMDR Act, 1957. On the other hand, as per Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957 State Governments have complete powers for making Rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals and levy and collection of royalty on minor minerals.
Thus, "Minor Minerals" are building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes etc. Therefore, Chromite, Kyanite and Sillimanite are major minerals, whereas Bentonite is a minor mineral.
- Exam Year: 2020