Marble Development and Conservation Rules, 2002.

These Rules, consisting of ten Chapters, establish that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 18 read with sections 21 and 26 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the Central Government makes the following rules for conservation and systematic development of and scientific mining to conserve the marble resources and to provide a uniform frame-work with regard to systematic and scientific exploitation of marble throughout the country. The Rules specify prospections to precede mining operations. No lease shall be granted by the State Government unless it is satisfied that there is evidence to show that the area for which the lease is applied for has been prospected earlier for marble or the existence of marble therein has been established otherwise.