About MLPC

The mining industry is a cornerstone of economic development, providing crucial employment opportunities and significantly contributing to national revenues. However, it faces a profound challenge: balancing economic benefits with environmental sustainability and community well-being. Inefficient mining operations exacerbate economic losses and environmental degradation, necessitating a transformative approach that integrates digital oversight and promotes sustainable livelihood alternatives.

Mines that operate below their full potential result in significant economic losses, reduced employment opportunities, and diminished tax income for governments. This inefficiency not only impacts mining companies but also hinders local economic development. Furthermore, underfunded District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds, intended for sustainable development in mining-affected areas, impede socio-economic progress and welfare initiatives for local communities. Inefficient mining practices strip ground cover and topsoil, leaving barren landscapes that disrupt ecosystems and reduce carbon sequestration capabilities, contributing to global warming.

To mitigate these challenges, adopting digital systems for monitoring and regulating mining activities is crucial. Such systems ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in mining operations. Implementing electronic tenders enhances transparency and efficiency in awarding mining contracts, ensuring that operators can maximize productivity while adhering to environmental standards. Digital systems providing real-time data on mining activities enable effective resource management and prompt corrective actions in case of inefficiencies or environmental breaches. Furthermore, digital oversight mechanisms enforce adherence to environmental regulations and best practices, ensuring mining activities do not compromise ecological sustainability.

Government intervention plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable mining practices through digital oversight. By enhancing productivity, increasing revenue, strengthening DMFT funds, and mitigating environmental impacts, the government can ensure that mines operate at their full potential, boosting job creation and economic returns while promoting eco-friendly mining practices.

In a landmark initiative advancing inclusivity and empowerment, the Government of Rajasthan has enacted a transformative amendment to its mining regulations, inspired by the strategic recommendations of the Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC). This progressive policy focuses on uplifting the artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) sector, with a special emphasis on empowering the resilient widows of mine workers and dynamic cooperatives, fostering economic independence and sustainable community development. Recognizing that 48% of the women workforce in ASM are widows of mine workers, this amendment grants them preferential mining rights. These rights offer more than symbolic recognition; they provide a concrete pathway to economic prosperity and empowerment. By supporting cooperatives, the government is nurturing collective growth and solidarity, aligning with Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage.

This visionary policy transcends regulatory change, embodying the core principles of Rajasthan’s Pneumoconiosis Policy. It reflects a profound commitment to safeguarding the health, dignity, and aspirations of every individual in the ASM sector, including men, women , silicosis patients, and transgender people. By dismantling barriers and creating new opportunities, this initiative paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable mining industry.

The Mine Labor Protection Council (MLPC) is dedicated to advocating for the safety and rights of mine workers, driving initiatives that promote digital oversight and sustainable practices. Collaborating with government bodies, educating stakeholders, ensuring effective use of DMFT funds, and encouraging research into new technologies and methods for sustainable mining and environmental protection are central to MLPC’s mission.

MLPC also focuses on transitioning affected individuals away from hazardous mining conditions by promoting sustainable alternative livelihoods. Through training, financial assistance, and mentorship, MLPC empowers former mine workers, occupational health and safety (OHS) victims, and widows of miners to build secure and prosperous futures in diverse, non-mining professions. Initiatives such as goat farming, timber plantations, solar-powered flour mills, mushroom cultivation, and vermicomposting serve as catalysts for economic growth and environmental conservation, ensuring economic viability and ecological sustainability, fostering resilient communities.

Enhancing transparency in the minor mineral sector, primarily mined by Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM), is essential. Extending the E-Rawana digital permit system to minor minerals can enhance transparency, efficiency, and worker protection by digitally issuing detailed transit permits. This system ensures traceability throughout the supply chain, curbing fraud and exploitation.

MLPC’s commitment to green entrepreneurship and sustainable development presents a unique opportunity for corporate social responsibility (CSR) donors to drive impactful change. By supporting MLPC

We invite CSR donors to join MLPC in this transformative journey toward just transition. Your support will not only drive economic development but also champion environmental stewardship, economic diversification, and social well-being. Together, we can create a mining industry that supports economic growth while protecting our planet and empowering communities for future generations. Your partnership will have a lasting impact, promoting a sustainable and equitable future for all.