Centre Rules Out Private Sector Involvement in Atomic Mineral Mining

### Speedy summary
– The Union Ministry of Mines has dismissed media reports suggesting private sector participation in the exploration and mining of atomic minerals like uranium and thorium in offshore areas under the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules, 2025.- The newly notified rules allow operating rights for atomic minerals exclusively to the government, government companies, or corporations.
– The Offshore Areas mineral (Advancement and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2023 amended the earlier 2002 Act to reinforce these restrictions starting from August 17, 2023.
– Section 6 of the OAMDR Act explicitly restricts private entities from obtaining exploration licences or production leases for atomic minerals.
– section 35 enables the Union government to frame rules such as those notified on July 14, 2025 in consultation wiht the Department of atomic Energy (DAE) for operational clarity.- The Ministry emphasized adherence to legislative mandates and reiterated its commitment to keeping mining activities aligned with national security concerns.

### Indian Opinion Analysis
The clarification by India’s Ministry of Mines underscores a strong policy focus on maintaining governmental control over strategic resources like uranium and thorium due to their national security implications. By expressly excluding private entities from participating, this move aligns with India’s longstanding approach towards safeguarding sensitive areas like nuclear energy-related materials.

Further strengthening regulatory frameworks through provisions under laws amended in recent years reflects an ongoing effort toward balancing resource utilization with sovereign interests. While media misrepresentation may have necessitated this clarification,transparency is crucial going forward as India highlights adherence to strict legal and procedural standards supporting public trust.Read more: ``