Illegal Mining and Impacts

Published on 05 Apr 2025

Illegal mining, also known as artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) or informal mining, is defined as mining activities carried out without the necessary licenses, permissions, or regulatory control. 

Causes of Illegal Mining

• Weak Regulatory Frameworks: Illegal mining operations may be encouraged by a lack of strong legislation, monitoring programs, and enforcement techniques.

• Lack of coordination: Lack of coordination between the Ministry of Forests and the Environment resulted in the illegal activities and subsequent ecological harm.

• Lack of timely renewals: Delay in timely renewals will lead to exploitation of resources.

• High Market Prices for Minerals: Price fluctuations for minerals, particularly in times of high demand, can encourage people to mine illegally to profit from the rising value of resources that have been exploited.

• Conflict and Instability: Illegal mining may be more common in areas with inadequate governance, political unrest, or violence.

Impacts Associated with Illegal Mining

• Environmental Degradation: Illegal mining activities can lead to environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.

• Example: Illegal placer gold mining along the Indus River in the area of Nizampur, Pakistan, has posing a threat to the delicate biodiversity of the region.

• Losses to the state exchequer: Illegal sand mining in Bihar is causing an estimated annual loss of Rs 7,000 crore to the state exchequer.

• Excessive Water Extraction: The excessive use of water for mineral processing by illegal mining enterprises may result in the depletion of nearby water sources.

• Example: Illegal mining in Garni Khad, Himachal Pradesh has resulted in drying up of riverbeds and wells.

• Dust and Particulate Matter: Particulate matter and dust are produced by mining operations, which aggravate air pollution.

• Example: According to CAG Report, illegal limestone mining in Meghalaya led to air pollution.

• Impact on Wildlife: Many wildlife species' habitats can be destroyed by illegal mining, which can result in population decreases and, in certain situations, the endangerment of specific species.

• Example: The endangered species threatened by the mining activity is gaur which are susceptible to domestic cattle diseases, according to the Animal Diversity Web at the University of Michigan.

Government initiatives and policy measures

• Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY): It is a welfare scheme for mining-affected areas.

• Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act: It aims to prevent illegal mining, with the government implementing laws to curb illicit practices.

• Mining Surveillance System (MSS): It is a satellite-based monitoring system which aims to detect illegal mining activity beyond the lease area through use of satellite images.

• Task Forces: 22 State Governments have set up Task Forces to control illegal mining and review the action taken by member departments for checking the illegal mining activities at state and district levels.

• Rule 45 of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, (MCDR) 2017: It makes mandatory for all miners, traders, stockist, exporters and end-users of minerals to register with IBM and submit online returns on the production, trade and utilization of minerals to the State Government(s) and IBM.

International initiatives

• Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF): It supports governments to advance good mining governance for the betterment of communities, economies, and the environment.

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The UNDP emphasizes sustainable and inclusive development while assisting nations in creating and putting into practice plans to combat illicit mining.

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Article 7 obligates the member States to identify, monitor and assess the impact of sand mining and other activities on the environment.

Way Forward

• Enhancing Monitoring and Surveillance: Adopt advanced monitoring technologies, such as satellite imagery, drones, and geospatial data, to detect and track illegal mining activities.

• Example: Odisha’s Integrated mines and mineral management system portal to regulate mining activities through electronic mode.

• Community Engagement and Awareness: Provide awareness about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of illegal mining, and strengthen communities to report suspicious activities.

• Capacity Building and Training: To effectively enforce mining rules, strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies, regulatory entities, and local authorities.

• Strengthening Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Ensure that laws are comprehensive, understandable, and equipped to handle the problems that illicit mining presents.

Example: The mining department identified some sensitive and vulnerable locations where the Bihar government planned to set up permanent check posts to prevent illicit sand mining.

Tags:
Environment

Keywords:
Soil pollution Ecosystem Mining Biodiversity

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Environment and Climate Change