Common Cause vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court reiterated that under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, mining leaseholders must possess a subsisting mining lease to be eligible for obtaining necessary clearances and recommencing mining operations. The Court clarified that the suspension of operations for 102 mining leaseholders was due to their lack of requisite approvals, and any application for revocation of the suspension must first establish the existence of a valid lease. The Court held that without a subsisting lease, the applicants cannot be permitted to resume mining activities, thereby upholding the necessity of compliance with statutory requirements.