On 3 February 2026, the Ministry of Mines (MoM) notified the Offshore Areas Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining and Transportation) Rules, 2026, which came into immediate effect to regulate and prevent illegal mining, storage, transportation, and export of all offshore minerals except hydrocarbons.
- The rules are issued under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 (OAMDR Act 2002), exempt non-commercial scientific or research activities, and extend the powers of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) to the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) for threshold-grade atomic minerals.
About Offshore Mining Rules 2026:
Coverage: The rules regulate offshore minerals excluding mineral oils and hydrocarbons, apply to all operators and entities, exempt non-commercial scientific activities, and define illegal mining as operations without valid rights or beyond approved limits.
Monitoring: Operating right holders and carrier owners must install real-time Electronic Monitoring (EM) Systems, ensure registration of all carriers and machinery, and avoid using unregistered equipment.
Transit: Mineral movement outside lease areas requires uploading dispatch details for digital transit permits, mandatory weighment at discharge points, and prior Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) export clearance.
Penalties: Aggrieved persons may appeal to the Central Government within 3 months, while violations can lead to imprisonment up to 5 years, fines from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore with daily penalties up to Rs 5 lakh, along with seizure of equipment and possible cancellation of licenses, leases, or registrations.
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