Published: 14 October 2025PIBEconomy
Ministry of Mines Reclassifies Limestone Entirely as Major Mineral
The Ministry of Mines, via gazette notification dated October 10, 2025, reclassified limestone entirely as a major mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, removing the dual classification based on end-use. Earlier, limestone used in kilns for manufacture of lime as building material was classified as a minor mineral, while limestone used for cement, chemicals, and steel was a major mineral.
A subsequent order dated October 13, 2025 under Section 20A of the MMDR Act facilitates smooth transition of existing minor mineral limestone leases. Existing leaseholders have until March 31, 2026 to register with the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM). Rajasthan, holding approximately 26% of India's proven limestone reserves (about 2.5 billion tonnes), stands to benefit significantly as the state aims to overtake Andhra Pradesh as India's largest cement-producing state.
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Q: Examine the implications of the Ministry of Mines' reclassification of limestone entirely as a major mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957, for India's mining regime and Rajasthan's cement-industry trajectory.
Answer (50 words):
Via gazette of October 10, 2025, Ministry of Mines reclassified limestone entirely as major mineral under MMDR Act 1957, ending the dual end-use split. A Section 20A order of October 13 eases lease transition; holders must register with Indian Bureau of Mines by March 31, 2026. Rajasthan, holding 26 percent reserves, benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
What change did the Ministry of Mines make to limestone's classification?
The **Ministry of Mines** reclassified **limestone entirely as a major mineral** under the MMDR Act, 1957, via gazette notification dated **October 10, 2025**. Previously, limestone had a dual classification — minor mineral when used in kilns for building lime, and major mineral when used for cement, chemicals, and steel.
Under which act was limestone reclassified as a major mineral?
Limestone was reclassified as a major mineral under the **Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 1957**, via a Ministry of Mines gazette notification dated **October 10, 2025**.
What was the previous dual classification of limestone in India?
Previously, limestone had a **dual classification** — it was a **minor mineral** when used in kilns for the manufacture of lime as a building material, but a **major mineral** when used for cement, chemicals, and steel production. This dual system has been removed.
What is the difference between major and minor minerals in India?
**Major minerals** are regulated by the Central Government under the MMDR Act and their mining requires central government leases. **Minor minerals** are regulated by state governments. By classifying limestone entirely as a major mineral, the Centre gains fuller regulatory control over limestone mining.
What happened to existing minor mineral leases for limestone after the reclassification?
A subsequent order dated **October 13, 2025 under Section 20A of the MMDR Act** addressed the status of existing minor mineral leases for limestone, providing transitional provisions for those who held limestone leases for kilns and building material purposes.
