The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 is expected to address long-standing operational challenges in the mining sector by bringing greater uniformity and predictability to the levy regime, FICCI Mining Committee Chair and NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee said on Thursday.

The amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, is aimed at curbing non-uniform state taxes and unexpected cesses that have increased the cost of mineral extraction and created uncertainty for the industry. A more certain taxation and levy framework could encourage fresh capital investment while accelerating the exploration and development of mineral resources, he said in a statement.

Mukherjee said empowering the Centre to streamline levies on mineral-bearing lands under the newly introduced Section 9D would help create a transparent and predictable framework for mining companies operating across different States.

The reforms, according to him, could unlock capital investments, accelerate mineral exploration and make domestic mineral production globally competitive.

Welcoming the government’s efforts to undertake structural reforms in the mining sector, Mukherjee said the industry would benefit significantly from a more predictable policy environment.