India is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. This growth is thrust by the industrial and the manufacturing sector. The raw materials required for the working of these sectors are provided by the mining industry. Therefore, mining has a huge role to play in the economic development of our country. Moreover, the recent overhauling reforms in the mining sector are intended to boost mineral production and exploration by further increasing the participation of the private sector.
The history of regulations on the Mining Industry in India can be traced back to the colonial era. Mining Industry as well as Mining Laws in India lack a global outlook in many respects. Although the mining sector has a huge role to play in the economic development of the country, it has a hugely detrimental impact on the environment. The key environmental impact of mining is on wildlife and marine life, the local climate, patterns of rainfall, depletion of forest and disruption of ecology. Further, the communities, often socially and economically weaker sections of the population, residing near the mines are displaced and often not rehabilitated as promised by the authorities.
Considering this conflict between the need for development and its detrimental impacts on the environment and the communities, in 2015, all the members of the United Nations adopted ‘The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. India, being a member of the United Nations, is expected to achieve these goals and help other countries to achieve the same through global partnerships.
Considering the need for the development of the mining industry and its detrimental impacts on the environment and the communities, there is an imminent need to reform the mining industry as well as Mining Laws in our Country in tune with the SDGs to ensure sustainable development of mining in India.
*Selected papers will be published in a book ISBN
SUB – THEMES FOR THE SEMINAR
- Environmental Aspects:
- Mining Laws and Environment Protection
- Mining and climate change – local and global issues.
- Sustainable Development and Mining Industry.
- Access to clean energy and International cooperation.
- Regulatory framework to ensure sustainable mining practices.
- Climate change and national policies, strategies and planning.
- Environment Impact Assessment Practices in the Mining Industry.
- Human Rights Aspects:
- Mining and Displacement of local & ethnic communities – social, political and/or economical perspective.
- Displacement of women, children, elderly, differently abled.
- Public health and mining practices.
- Access to justice to all victims of mining – strengthening of institutions.
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Mining Industry in India.
- Social auditing & social accountability of Mining Industries.
- Mining and human rights violations in India.
- Prevention of illegal Mining.
- Regulation of Mining and protection of Human rights- Role Local Self Bodies in India.
- Labour Aspects:
- Mining and Safety of working conditions.
- Minimum wages in the Mining Industry in India.
- Mining Industry and Pandemic – Labour aspects.
- Mining and protection of labour rights.
- Trade unions and mining industry in India.
- Gender equality among mining workers.
- Commercial Aspects:
- Need for public – private partnership to ensure sustainable mining practices.
- Marketing and distribution of mining products.
- Incentives for sustainable mining practices.
- Internal mechanisms for ensuring compliance of mining laws.
- Promoting responsible production and consumption of mining products.
- FDI in the Mining sector in India.
- Implementation of Mining Policies in India in tune with the SDGs:
- Role of Judiciary.
- Role of NGOs/Civil Society.
- Role of Media.