Chhattisgarh NEWS : Under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, a state-level workshop was organised at the Convention Hall of New Circuit House in Raipur to deliberate on the systematic exploration and exploitation of strategic and critical minerals found in Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the inaugural session, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary, Department of Mineral Resources, Mr P. Dayanand said that Chhattisgarh is a mineral-rich state blessed with an abundance of 28 major minerals including coal, limestone, dolomite, iron ore, bauxite, and tin ore, alongside strategically significant minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are vital for defence and atomic energy. He informed that the workshop was convened to accelerate efforts undertaken under the National Programme on Exploration Strategy and the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). The objective is to ensure active participation of national exploration agencies and to take concrete steps towards the swift implementation of strategic mineral projects in the state.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Department of Mineral Resources and the Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chhattisgarh. It aimed to promote scientific exploration techniques for the effective harnessing of India’s critical mineral potential, strengthen the technical capacity of proposal submission systems, and ensure the state’s robust participation in national-level strategic exploration policies.
During the technical sessions of the workshop, Mr Ravikant Gupta from the Geological Survey of India elaborated on Chhattisgarh’s geological characteristics and the potential of its OGP (Obvious Geological Potential) areas. Mr Bhuvneshwar Kumar from Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited presented advanced geo-physical and geo-chemical techniques for the exploration of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, tungsten, and phosphate. His presentation offered officials insights into modern methods of exploration. Mr Akshay Verma from NMET shared details about proposal preparation processes, financial assistance, and grant policies, highlighting the opportunities available under NMET and stressing the need for Chhattisgarh’s more proactive engagement.
Emphasis on Chhattisgarh’s Role in the Global Mineral Supply Chain
Experts at the workshop underlined that the diversity and quality of minerals in Chhattisgarh position the state as a vital link in the global mineral supply chain. They suggested that by balancing mineral production with market demand and future potential, the state can emerge as a leader in mineral-based industrial development.
The concluding session of the workshop reviewed the mineral surveys conducted in the state so far, their findings, and the proposed projects. Officials stressed the need to enhance technical expertise and inter-departmental coordination. Senior officials from the Directorate of Geology and Mining observed that mineral resources form the foundational pillar of a state’s economic advancement. The workshop made it evident that through transparent, technically robust, and time-bound processes, Chhattisgarh can not only attract both private and public investment but also assume a leading role in the implementation of the national strategic mineral policy. All participants agreed on the need for a unified effort and a long-term strategic vision to ensure sustainable industrial development based on mineral wealth.
The workshop was attended by Prof. Sahendra Singh of IIT Dhanbad, Mr Prem Prakash from IBM, Director Mr Rajat Bansal, Joint Directors Mr Anurag Diwan and Mr Sanjay Kanakane, along with representatives from various central and state-level agencies, research institutions, policy advisors, and technical experts.