Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research

Mining Regulatory Group

The Mining Regulatory Group (MRG) assist Director, AMD to perform the functions laid under the Atomic Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 (AMCR, 2016) and the Minerals Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 (MCDR, 2017), wherein the Director, AMD is the Competent Authority for approval of mining plans and a regulatory authority for implementation of mineral laws in respect of atomic minerals.

Various mineral concession proposals in respect of Atomic Minerals (Part-B, First Schedule of MMDR Act, 1957) occurring as such or in association, applications towards handling of prescribed substances, applications for registrations under Rule 45 of Minerals Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 (MCDR, 2017), etc. are referred to this Directorate from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the Ministry of Mines (MoM), various State Government(s) and various stake holders engaged in mining and/or trading of atomic minerals. Such applications/requests are examined by MRG considering the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957); the Atomic Minerals Concession Rules, 2016 (AMCR, 2016); the Atomic Energy Act-1962 and the rules made thereunder respective Acts.

As per the provisions of Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act,1957), Mineral Concession Rule,1960 (MCR 1960) and Atomic Energy Act, 1962,the Mining Regulatory Group carries out following work

• Scrutiny of mining plans for atomic minerals submitted by various agencies for approval of Competent Authority in AMD.


• Scrutiny of geological reports received from the prospecting agencies for submission to the State Government(s) to initiate the process of grant of mineral concessions and scrutiny of proposals received from the stakeholders for assessment of threshold values in respect of atomic minerals.


• Scrutiny of applications referred by DAE for issue of licences under the Atomic Energy (Working of Mines, Minerals and Handling of Prescribed Substances) Rules, 1984.


• Scrutiny of proposals / applications received from DAE / State Governments for comments in respect of grant of various mineral concessions, reservation of areas, premature termination of mining leases and other related matters in respect of atomic minerals.


• Framing of policies and rules for regulating the grant of mineral concessions in respect of atomic minerals / prescribed substances and for the purposes connected therewith, under MMDR Act, 1957; OAMDR Act, 2002; the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.


• Technical inputs in respect of court cases, representation, complaints, RTIs, etc. related to laws dealing with atomic minerals.


• Inspection of mines and RP, PL and ML areas in respect of atomic minerals and scrutiny of statutory returns submitted by the mine owner/agent.


• Scrutiny of applications and issuance of registration number to the traders, end users etc. for as per Rule 45 of MCDR, 2017.

Rules & Regulations

The mineral concession, conservation and development in respect of atomic minerals having grade equal to or above the notified threshold value is governed under following Acts and Rules:

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957

• Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023


• Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (As amended up to 28th March, 2021)


• Notification under Section 22 of MMDR Act, 1957


• Notification under Section 24 of MMDR Act, 1957

Atomic Minerals Concession Rules, 2016

Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957) is an act of the Parliament of India enacted for the development and regulation of mines and minerals that extends to whole of India. First Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957 deals with specified minerals i.e. Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals, Atomic Minerals, Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals and Critical and strategic Minerals listed under Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D respectively. Atomic minerals specified under Part B of the First Schedule of MMDR Act, 1957 (as amended up to 09.08.2023) are listed below:

PART B. Atomic Minerals

1. Minerals of the "rare earths" group containing Uranium and Thorium.
2. Phosphorites and other phosphatic ores containing Uranium.
3. Pitchblende and other Uranium ores.
4. Uraniferous allanite, monazite and other thorium minerals.
5. Uranium bearing tailings left over from ores after extraction of copper and gold, ilmenite and other titanium ores.
6. Beach sand minerals, that is, economic heavy minerals found in the teri or beach sands, which include ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, garnet, monazite, zircon and sillimanite.

MMDR Act 1957 has undergone major amendment in 2015. In exercise of the powers conferred under newly inserted Section l 1B of the MMDR Act, 1957 (67 of 1957), the Central Government promulgated Atomic Minerals Concession Rules (AMCR), 2016 on 11.07.2016 for regulation of mineral concessions in respect of atomic minerals having grades equal to or above the notified threshold value. Subsequently, two (02) amendments on 19.02.2019 and 20.02.2019 with respect to threshold value have been enacted in the AMCR, 2016.

The Ministry of Mines has notified the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017 for conservation and administration of minerals in supersession of MCDR, 1988. Director, AMD is designated authority under these Rules in respect of atomic minerals having grade equal to or above the notified threshold value.

• Atomic Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2024


• Atomic Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2023


• Atomic Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2020


• Atomic Minerals Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2019


• Atomic Minerals Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2019


• Atomic Minerals Concession Rules, 2016

Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017

• Mineral Conservation and Development (Amendment) Rules, 2024


• Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017 (As amended up to 03.11.2021)


• "Authorised Officer” under MCDR, 2017

Formats and Applications

• Application for Grant of Mining Lease


• Format for Scheme of Prospecting


• Format for Yearly-Report of Prospecting


• Format for Final Report of Prospecting


• Format for Mining Plan


• Form for Discovery of Atomic Minerals

Notification of Areas for Prospecting of Atomic Minerals:

Registration Under Rule 45 of MCDR Act 2017

Registration with AMD under Rule 45 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017, is mandatory for all entities involved in the mineral supply chain of atomic minerals (Part-B, First Schedule of MMDR Act, 1957).

Who must register?

Rule 45 mandates registration with the AMD for holders of a mining lease, as well as any person or company involved in the trading, storage, end-use, or export of atomic minerals.

List of Approved Registrations

• View Document

Mining Plan Approval

The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is responsible for scrutiny and approval of mining plans in respect of atomic minerals (Part-B, First Schedule of MMDR Act, 1957) to ensure the mineral conservation, scientific development, and protection of the environment.

Key Aspects of the Mining Plan

Regulatory Compliance:

The mining plan ensures that operations comply with the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017 and other relevant laws.

Scientific Development:

It provides a framework for the systematic and scientific exploration and extraction of minerals.

Environmental Protection:

The plan addresses environmental aspects, including water pollution, reclamation, and rehabilitation of the mined area as per applicable laws.

Closure Plan:

A Final Mine Closure Plan must also be submitted and approved by the competent authority at least two years before the planned closure of the mine.

List of Mining Plans Approved by AMD

• Data from the Mining Plans / Modified Mining Plan / Scheme of Mining approved by AMD in respect of Beach Sand Minerals