Mineral exploration & development in NE top priority: Minister Pralhad Joshi

DIMAPUR: The Union Ministry of Mines is making continuous efforts to encourage mining activities pan India and to further encourage exploration activities in the mineral-rich North-East region, the first North-East Geology & Mining Ministers' Conclave was held on Monday at the Niathu Resort in Chumukedima, Dimapur.

In the event, members of the North-East Mines and Coal Ministers' Committee put forward their concerns and demands before the Union Minister of Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi.

Addressing the issues, Joshi said that the North-East region has been accorded top priority for development under the Prime Minister's agenda of transforming India. North-Eastern Region is the focus point of India's 'Act East Policy'. Geological Survey of India (GSI) has taken up 108 projects in the North-East region on different mineral commodities during the last five years and 23 mineral exploration projects have been taken up on various commodities in the region in the current field season of 2022-23.

He said that the Government is also funding projects through National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). Two mineral exploration projects of limestone and iron ore in Nagaland, funded by NMET, have been already completed. NMET is also providing financial assistance for procurement of machinery/ laboratory equipment/ instruments etc., to State DGMs up to 10% of the total approved exploration projects in year. A Joint Working Group has been constituted by the Ministry of Mines for different States to resolve several issues related to the process of auctioning, Joshi added.

Assuring the North-East region of complete support, Joshi further stated that the Ministry, through GSI and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), can organize training programmes for State geologists and other functionaries for their capacity building. Such programmes can be organized by GSI at its Shillong Centre or GSITI at Hyderabad as per the convenience of States.

However, The Union Minister also voiced his concern regarding the auctioning process in the North-East region and urged the State Governments to resolve the issues pertaining to auction in different states of the region. He added that the establishment of resources and their successful auction will bring economic prosperity through revenue augmentation, employment generation, industry influx which will further lead to overall growth and development of the region. The successful auctioning of the blocks can also act as a catalyst to bring other financing sources to the region.

Later, addressing the media, the Union Minister said that the Government is also keenly examining the environmental implications of coal and oil exploration, while also ensuring that the rich mineral resources are properly exploited for the benefit of the region.

Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Mines stated that the Ministry is focused on increasing the pace of exploration of minerals in the country as well as on auction of mineral blocks. GSI is focusing on completing the National Baseline Geoscience Data Generation programme in the country and has increased focus on exploration of critical minerals in the region. Recently, three projects of more than Rs 10 crore have been sanctioned from NMET for Assam. He added that the Ministry of Mines and its bodies GSI, IBM, MECL will be extending full support to the State Governments. Lohiya said that this conclave will go a long way in improving mining and geological activities in the region.

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