Activities
Exploration
and Prospecting for mineral deposits
The
functions of the Exploratory and Prospecting Division include
preliminary and detailed geological mapping, trenching,
pitting, drilling, sampling and chemical analysis
and mineral identification of samples. In addition
to the exploration activities approved by the State Geological
Programming Board, the Department also undertakes exploration
activities of urgent nature for which specific directions
are issued by the State Government.
The
Department is equipped with an analytical laboratory as
well as mineralogy and gem testing laboratory. Chemical
analysis of samples and mineral and gem identification are
undertaken on payment basis.
Implementation
of the Mines and Minerals Act
The
main activities of Mineral Development and Mining Lease
Division are as follows:-
(a)
Recommending to State Government to grant/ renewal of mining
leases and prospecting licences in respect of major minerals.
(b) Grant/renewal of quarrying permits, quarrying
leases and dealer's licences in respect of major minerals.(c)
Inspection of mines and quarries and enforcement of relevant
rules and regulations by virtue of the powers vested with
it under the Mines and Minerals ( Development & Regulation)
Act, 1957, the Minerals Concession Rules, 1960 and the Kerala
Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967.(d) Collection
of revenue on both major as well as minor minerals.(e)
Curbing of illegal mining and clandestine movement of minerals.(f)
Attending to court cases in connection with mining and movement
of minerals.(g) Collection of data on production/sales/consumption
of major and minor minerals and furnishing the required
information to government of India and other Central/ State
institutions.
Audit
wing
The
audit wing is attached to the Mineral development and mining
leases division. Systemic annual audit of accounts
in respect of collection of royalty, dead rent, surface
rent etc. of various mineral concessionaires is the prime
responsibility of the audit wing.
Acts
and Rules
The
role to be played by the Central and State Governments in
regard to mineral development has been extensively dealt
in the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act,
1957 and rules made under the Act by the Central Government
and the State Governments in their respective domains. The
provisions of the Act and the Rules will be reviewed from
time to time and harmonised with the policies governing
industrial and socio-economic developments in the country.
