The much-disputed Mines and Minerals Bill could once again be tabled in the parliament during the winter session. The Department of Geology and Mines is working on a clearer definition of “strategic mineral”, the key issue that led to the withdrawal of the bill from the parliament in 2021. The department said the revised bill will explain strategic minerals clearly with a list to avoid confusion regarding who can mine them, whether the state-owned companies or private businesses.
The Mines and Minerals Bill, if endorsed by the parliament, will supersede the three-decade-old Mines and Minerals Management Act 1995.
The Director of the Department of Geology and Mines said that the act needs to be amended to ensure sustainable and responsible mining.
To strengthen and make the clauses of the bill clear, the department recently conducted stakeholder consultation meetings with local governments and relevant agencies before the bill was reintroduced for deliberation.
“So many things have changed, including technology, environmental aspirations and more than anything, our economic aspirations,” said Phuntsho Namgyal, Director, Dept. of Geology and Mines.
In 2021, the National Assembly and the National Council were at dispute over the Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill 2020. While the National Assembly proposed to give rights to the state, private sectors and community through broad-based ownership, the National Council wanted the State-owned Enterprises to run all the mines to prevent wealth concentration among a few private individuals.
The geology and mines department added that a proper definition of strategic minerals could resolve the confusion. The revised draft will define strategic minerals in the context relevant to Bhutan, considering the economic and technological transformation.
“So, this time around, we are also proposing to actually think about what strategic minerals are because I understand you know the strategic minerals definition would be required when we really have to, you know, talk about ownership. Who you know, at what level the mining operations can be done, through state machinery or for what specific minerals or areas the private sector could come in. So, if we can define those things, the support of the representatives in the Parliament would be there,” said Phuntsho Namgyal, Director, Dept. of Geology and Mines.
He added that the process of listing strategic minerals must be reflected in regulations with room for adaptability as definitions and priorities evolve.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Phub Gyem
