Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 (2026)
The Natural Resources Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu issued G.O. Ms. No. 16, Natural Resources (MMC.1), dated 23 July 2026, to amend the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959. The amendments expand the listed description of rough stone materials and introduce a laboratory analysis requirement before weathered rough stone from a quarry may be disposed of.
What the notification changes
The Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 were made by the Governor of Tamil Nadu under section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. They were notified by the Natural Resources Department through G.O. Ms. No. 16, Natural Resources (MMC.1), dated 23 July 2026, and published as No. SRO A-13(e)/2026.
The amendments alter Appendix II under the heading “A. Rate Seigniorage Fee”. They replace an item in the table and add a new note dealing with weathered rough stone.
Revised description of rough stone materials
The revised item applies within the category “Building and road construction materials / stones other than Granite”. It now lists:
- Rough stones, including weathered rough stone.
- Khandas and boulders.
- Size reduced, broken and crushed materials.
- Metal jelly, ballast, millstone and hand chakais.
The notification changes the description of the listed mineral item. The source text does not provide a new seigniorage fee amount.
Requirement for weathered rough stone
A mineral concession holder who proposes to dispose of weathered rough stone reported in an approved mining plan must submit a report analysing the mineral constituents of the weathered rock. The analysis must be carried out by the laboratory of the Directorate of Geology and Mining.
The result determines how the material may be handled:
- If high value minerals are reported, the material must be disposed of under the relevant provisions of the Act and the rules made under it.
- If no mineral carrying a higher rate of seigniorage fee is reported, disposal may be permitted as weathered rough stone.
Who is affected
The new reporting requirement directly affects mineral concession holders seeking to dispose of weathered rough stone from rough stone quarries. It also provides the basis on which the authorities decide whether that material can be treated as weathered rough stone or must be handled under provisions applicable to higher value minerals.
The notification does not state any separate filing, payment or compliance requirement for ordinary landowners or property buyers.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can a quarry concession holder dispose of weathered rough stone without mineral analysis?
The notification requires the concession holder to submit an analysis report from the laboratory of the Directorate of Geology and Mining when proposing to dispose of weathered rough stone reported in the approved mining plan.
What happens if the weathered rock contains high value minerals?
If the laboratory reports high value minerals, the material must be disposed of according to the relevant provisions of the Act and the rules made under it.
When may material be disposed of as weathered rough stone?
It may be permitted to be disposed of as weathered rough stone when the analysis does not report any mineral carrying a higher rate of seigniorage fee.
Does the notification specify a new seigniorage fee?
No new fee amount is stated in the notification. It revises the mineral description in Appendix II and adds a procedure for analysing weathered rough stone.
