The Union Ministry of Mines has termed “misleading and factually incorrect” some media reports which suggested that the Union government has permitted private sector participation in the exploration and mining of atomic minerals such as uranium and thorium from the country’s offshore regions by notifying the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Rules, 2025.
The Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 provide the procedure for the grant of operating rights for atomic minerals only to the government, government companies, or corporations and not to private entities.
Parliament, through the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2023, amended the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, with effect from August 17, 2023.
The first provision to Section 6 of the OAMDR Act, 2002 explicitly restricts the grant of exploration licences, composite licences, or production leases for atomic minerals to the government, government companies, or corporations only, subject to prescribed conditions notified by the Union government.
Further, under Section 35 of the OAMDR Act, 2002, the Union government is empowered to frame rules for the effective implementation of the Act. Accordingly, the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules, 2025 were notified on July 14, 2025 in consultation with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the nodal department for regulating atomic minerals.
The rules provide the procedure for the grant of operating rights for atomic minerals only to the government, government companies, or corporations. Media reports suggesting otherwise are not factual, the statement said.
The Ministry of Mines reaffirms its commitment to transparency and adherence to legislative mandates, and will ensure that the exploration and mining of atomic minerals remain under strict regulatory control in accordance with national security and policy considerations, the statement said.
Published – August 07, 2025 10:02 pm IST
