(1)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to the,—

(a) cases falling under section 17A;

(b) minerals specified in PartA of the First Schedule;

(c) minerals specified in Part B of the First Schedule where the grade of atomic mineral is equal to or greater than such threshold value as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time; or

(d) land in respect of which the minerals do not vest in the Government.”;

(2)

Where there is inadequate evidence to show the existence of mineral contents of any notified mineral in respect of any area, a State Government may, after obtaining the previous approval of the Central Government, grant a composite licence for the said notified mineral in such area in accordance with the procedure laid down in section 11.

(3)

In areas where the existence of mineral contents of any notified mineral is established in the manner prescribed by the Central Government, the State Government shall notify such areas for grant of mining leases for such notified mineral, the terms and conditions subject to which such mining leases shall be granted, and any other relevant conditions, in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

“Provided that where the State Government has not notified such area for grant of mining lease after establishment of existence of mineral contents of any mineral (whether notified mineral or otherwise), the Central Government may require the State Government to notify such area within a period to be fixed in consultation with the State Government and in cases where the notification is not issued within such period, the Central Government may notify such area for grant of mining lease after the expiry of the period so specified.”;

(4)

For the purpose of granting a mining lease in respect of any notified mineral in such notified area, the State Government shall select, through auction by a method of competitive bidding, including e-auction, an applicant who fulfils the eligibility conditions as specified in this Act.

“Provided that-—

(a) where the State Government has not successfully completed auction for the purpose of granting a mining lease in respect of any mineral (whether notified mineral or otherwise) in such notified area; or

(b) upon completion of such auction, the mining lease or letter of intent for grant of mining lease has been terminated or lapsed for any

(5)

The Central Government shall prescribe the terms and conditions, and procedure, subject to which the auction shall be conducted, including the bidding parameters for the selection, which may include a share in the production of the mineral, or any payment linked to the royalty payable, or any other relevant parameter, or any combination or modification of them.

(6)

Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (5), the Central Government shall, if it is of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient to do so, prescribe terms and conditions, procedure and bidding parameters in respect of categories of minerals, size and area of mineral deposits and a State or States, subject to which the auction shall be conducted:

Provided that the terms and conditions may include the reservation of any particular mine or mines for a particular end-use and subject to such condition which allow only such eligible end users to participate in the auction.

“Provided that no mine shall be reserved for captive purpose in the auction.”.

(7)

The State Government shall grant a mining lease to an applicant selected in accordance with the procedure laid down in this section in respect of such notified mineral in any notified area.