With reference to the environmental clearance process for mining in India, consider the following statements: 1. Mining projects for atomic minerals listed in Part B of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act are exempted from public hearings. 2. Critical minerals like lithium and cobalt are classified under Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act. 3. The exemption from public hearings for strategic minerals was granted under the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Accepted Answer

A) 1 and 2 only — Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the September 2025 MoEFCC Office Memorandum and the MMDR Amendment Act 2023. Statement 3 is incorrect because the exemption modifies the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, not the Forest Conservation Act.

EIA Public Consultation Exemption for Critical Minerals

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