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Core Purpose

This notification introduces the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2026, to further amend the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, specifically substituting rule 9 regarding prior approval for opening coal mines.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Coal, on August 6, 2026, issued Notification G.S.R. 710(E), exercising powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957). These rules, titled the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2026, amend the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, and come into force upon publication in the Official Gazette. The primary amendment substitutes rule 9 of the principal rules with a new rule titled 'Requirement of prior approval to open a coal mine, seam or section of a seam.' Owners registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) or statutory corporations must obtain prior approval from their respective Board or Governing Authority, which must ensure all requisite permissions from the Central Government, State Government, and statutory bodies are obtained. An intimation must be sent to the Coal Controller Organisation within fifteen days of opening. Other colliery owners require prior approval from the Coal Controller Organisation. These provisions also apply to the resumption of mining operations after a discontinuation of 180 days or more. The Coal Controller Organisation is tasked with maintaining an indicative list of required permissions. The principal rules were initially published vide G.S.R. 540(E) dated August 25, 2004, and last amended vide G.S.R. 917(E) dated December 23, 2025.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-07082026-275259 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 646] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026/SHRAVAN 15, 1948 MINISTRY OF COAL NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 6th August, 2026 G.S.R. 710(E). — In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, namely:— 1. Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Colliery Control (Amendment) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, for rule 9, the following rule shall be substituted, namely:- "9. Requirement of prior approval to open a coal mine, seam or section of a seam.— (1) No owner of a colliery shall open a coal mine or a seam or a section of a seam, without prior approval of - (a) the Board of the company, where the owner is a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013); or (b) The Governing Authority (Board or committee, etc.) of statutory corporations established by or under any Central or State Act, where such corporation is the owner : Provided that while according such approval, the Board or Governing Authority or committee, etc. shall ensure that all requisite permissions have been obtained and compliances done, as prescribed by the Central Government, the State Government and statutory bodies: Provided further that an intimation shall be sent to the Coal Controller Organisation within a period of fifteen days of opening the coal mine or the seam or a section of the seam: Provided also that the Coal Controller Organisation may prescribe a form for this purpose. (2) No owner of a colliery, which is neither a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) nor a statutory corporation established by or under any Central or State Act, shall open a coal mine or a seam or a section of a seam, without prior approval of the Coal Controller Organisation. (3) The provisions of sub-rules (1) or (2), as the case may be, shall also be applicable as regards commencement of mining operation in a mine or a seam or a section of a seam where operation has been discontinued for a period of one hundred and eighty days or more. (4) The Coal Controller Organisation shall maintain an indicative list of permissions required from the Central Government, the State Government and statutory bodies for the purposes of sub-rules (1) and (2). " [F. No. MPS-17023/3/2025-MPS] SANOJ KUMAR JHA, Addl. Secy. Note:- The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Seb-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 540(E), dated the 25th August, 2004 and was last amended vide number G.S.R. 917(E), dated the 23rd December, 2025. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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