Responsible Value Chain in Artisanal Small Scale Mining

The mining sector is crucial to India's economy, extracting a variety of minerals classified as major or minor. Major minerals use the E-Rawana digital permit system for transparency, while minor minerals like silicates, sand, and sandstone often lack transparency and involve intermediaries, leading to worker exploitation.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM) primarily mine these minor minerals. India has 1,350 million tons of reserves, with major mining states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Silicates are essential in many industries, but irresponsible practices have caused issues like silicosis among ASM workers.

A supply chain gap exists, with buyers not knowing the source and the miners not knowing its destination, leading to exploitation. To address this, states like Rajasthan plan to extend the E-Rawana system to minor minerals, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and worker protection by digitally issuing detailed transit permits.

We urge buyers to research and adopt this system to track minerals at every stage, fostering transparency and accountability. Your participation will help curb fraud and exploitation, ensuring ethical practices and safeguarding workers' rights. MLPC has and will always take initiative in creating a transparent and accountable mineral industry.