(1) Any minor mineral deposits, where the government decides such areas to be operated under a lease, may be granted on mining lease for a period not less than 10 years but not exceeding 20 years following a competitive bid process as provided under Chapter 7 of these rules:
Provided that the Government may, wherever it deems necessary, pre-qualify the bidders, with the pre-qualification criteria determined upfront, by inviting expressions of interest through a public notice, and limit the bidding process among such pre-qualified bidders.
(2) In case the Government accept the bid, the payment of earnest money, initial bid security, security and advance instalment shall be made in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter 7 of these rules.
(3) The highest bid received shall become the ‘annual dead rent’ amount payable by the lessee. The rate of annual dead rent initially determined on the basis of competitive bids/ auctions shall be increased @ 25% on completion of each block of three years.
Explanation: If the initially determined amount of annual dead rent is Rs. 100/-, it shall be increased to Rs. 125/- with the commencement of the fourth year and to Rs. 156.25 with the commencement of the 7th year and so on and so forth for the next each block of three years.
(4) A lease deed shall be executed by the successful bidder with the Director or an officer authorized in this behalf in the prescribed Form ML-1, appended hereto, within the period as prescribed under rule 21 of these rules.
(5) The lessee shall pay royalty in respect of each of the minor minerals extracted or removed or consumed by him or by his agent, manager, employee etc. The royalty shall be payable at the rates prescribed in the First Schedule appended to these rules.