Mineral mafias rampant in Gujarat, govt yet to collect fines worth ₹1,412 crore
Updated: Apr 21st, 2025
In Gujarat, 2.13 crore metric tonnes of minerals have been seized in last three years from the illicit operators in mineral mining.
From sand, marble, white clay, china clay, fire clay, red soil, dolomite, gravel, building stone, black trap, to carboshell — a wide range of minerals are being stolen on a large scale in Gujarat.
The Department of Mines and Minerals of Gujarat has admitted that between 2021-22 and 2022-23, a total of 2,13,08,733 metric tonnes of various minerals were seized, valued at approximately ₹6,8061 lakh.
| Year | Quantity of minerals | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | ₹2,04,27,25 tonnes | ₹6,464 lakhs |
| 2022-23 | ₹52,11,570 tonnes | ₹17,586 lakhs |
| 2023-24 | ₹14,054,438 tonnes | ₹44,011 lakhs |
| Total | ₹21,308,733 tonnes | ₹68,061 lakhs |
Moreover, fines imposed on such mafias – a total of ₹1,914.73 crore – are yet to be collected by the state. Outstanding fines include ₹24,662 lakh in Dwarka, ₹12,313 lakhin Gir Somnath, ₹17,745 lakh in East Kutch, ₹28,061 lakh in West Kutch, ₹35,124 lakh in Porbandar, ₹11,52 lakh in Surat, and ₹11817 lakh in Surendranagar.
Out of these unpaid dues, 338 of mineral mafias have not paid these fines for over a year.
Additionally, 248 mafias have defaulted for over two years. A total of 1,179 offenders have not paid their fines.
The government has identified 11,210 mineral offenders across the state — but has limited itself to mere identification, with no concrete action.
