NDTV reported that, The Union Cabinet cleared the draft mining bill aimed at regulating mining activities Friday. The bill proposes a profit-sharing system and bidding of mining rights. It will mandate coal companies to provide 26 per cent of post-tax profit for the welfare of affected people, a move intended to benefit mostly tribals.

Niraj Shah, Senior VP (Equity Research) at Fortune Financial Services (India) Ltd said, "The biggest negative will be on Coal India... 26 per cent profits would be transferred and will be calculated on previous years' profit. So, the EPS would be impacted."

Coal India slumped 3 per cent post the decision and was the top loser on the 30-stock Sensex.

Bhavesh Chauhan of Angel Broking said the biggest impact will be on Coal India followed by Hindustan Zinc. "For Coal India, there is a cushion of passing prices to customers because it sells coal at a subsidy," Mr Chauhan added.

Companies that have captive coal mines will also be affected, Mr Shah said. "Profit will be calculated on the basis of mine head costs and the transfer pricing, so power and steel companies will be impacted," Mr Shah added.

The Mines & Minerals (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2011, which seeks to replace a 1957 act, also provides for setting up of National Mining Regulatory Authority and Tribunal and formation of District Mineral Foundations in 60 mineral-rich districts across the country. The states will also be advised to set up authorities and tribunals on these lines.

The Bill, which advocates "sustainable and scientific" mining, also suggests non-coal miners like bauxite and iron ore firms to share an amount equal to that of royalty with local residents instead of just sharing profits.

A 10-member ministerial panel set up in June last year, has finalised the methodology ensuring that people in mineral-rich districts of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal get monetary benefits from mining.

If the bill is passed, an estimated amount of Rs. 10,000 crore (approximately US$ 2.042 billion) will be generated per year from miners and an average amount of Rs. 180 to 200 crore (approximately US$ 36,754,535  to 40,838,239) will be distributed among District Mining Foundations of 60 mineral rich districts that include 25 districts affected by Left Wing Extremism.

Mr Shah said money will be transferred to an escrow account that would be used for the benefit of the tribals.
Source: NDTV