Diamond Mining Project NMDC Ltd. Panna Madhya Pradesh

under implementation

Economic/Social Impact of the Project The Diamond Mining Project, Majhgawan, Panna, Madhya Pradesh is a prestigious project of NMDC Ltd., which is the only “Mechanized open cast Diamond Mine” in India. NMDC Ltd. is operating this mine for more than last 50 years. As the mine is situated within the Panna Tiger Reserve, it is being operated obeying all the directions given by the Forest and Wildlife Department. The Diamond Mining Project consists of two parts i.e. Main Mining Lease [MML] and Supplementary Mining Lease. The project comprises of Main Mining Lease [113.32 Ha.] and Supplementary Mining Lease [162.631 Ha.] and leases are valid upto 14/7/2025 and 30/6/2040 respectively. Since, the project is falling in sanctuary, it had closed down its operations from the period 2005 to 2009 for want of clearance under Wildlife [Protection] Act 1972 and permission from Hon’ble Supreme Court. As per directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 13/8/2008, a Monitoring committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Bhopal for monitoring of NMDC’s operations at Diamond Mining Project. So far nine meetings of Monitoring Committee were conducted and NMDC has fulfilled all the directions of the Monitoring Committee. It is pertinent here to mention that the even though the operations at DMP, Panna is incurring continuous loss, NMDC is operating the project as it is only mechanised Diamond Mine in India and is a prestigious project for PSU company like NMDC. The project is also engaging the local population for direct and indirect employment and they are being befitted by various peripheral village community development works undertaken by NMDC. In case the project is not able to get the following clearances viz. validity extension of FC, Wildlife Permission and Environmental clearance under EIA 2006 ,in time, there shall be no commercial operations at DMP, Panna and NMDC will not be able to mine the balance reserve of 8.47 lakh carat of Diamond, having a value of around Rs. 833 Crore. It is pertinent mention that Panna Diamond Mining Project has been employing approximately 180 permanent and 150 contractual employees and more than 5000 people are dependent on the Diamond Mining Project - Panna for their livelihood.