Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy reaffirms full support to unlock NE’s mineral potential

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy reaffirmed the Centre's full support to all northeastern states to develop state-specific mining action plans and stressed the importance of environmentally responsible, technologically advanced mining practices. He also highlighted the need to align mineral initiatives with disaster preparedness, scientific research, and community development.

Addressing the second Northeast Geology and Ministers' Conclave here today, Reddy emphasized that under the leadership of the prime minister, the mineral-rich states of the Northeast are now receiving focused attention to transform untapped resources into drivers of economic growth, employment, and local empowerment.

Delivering his keynote address, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma shared that the state had initiated the auction of seven limestone blocks in the Umrangso area of Dima Hasao district, with five already auctioned and letters of intent issued, and the remaining two are also likely to be auctioned by August 2025. He expressed confidence that, with the support of the Government of India and the Indian Bureau of Mines, at least one of these limestone blocks could be operationalized by December 2025.

The Chief Minister said that during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, the Mines and Minerals Department signed 14 MoUs securing investment commitments exceeding Rs 46,000 crore from national and international investors. He assured the gathering of Assam's conducive working environment and announced that the state cabinet has approved the formation of the Assam State Mineral Trust to promote sustainable mining and exploration of minor minerals. He added that the Assam Mineral Policy is in its final stage of formulation and is expected to be implemented within a month. The Chief Minister also highlighted community-level initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Khsetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) in education, drinking water, sanitation, welfare of women and children, senior citizens, and skill development. He urged all northeastern states to proactively take up mineral exploration with the support of the Government of India to maximise state revenues.

Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines Satish Chandra Dubey hailed the conclave as a historic step toward regional economic resurgence. He noted the abundance of limestone and oxide reserves across Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, highlighting that mining not only generates employment but also contributes directly to building a self-reliant India. He commended Assam and other northeastern states for their progressive outlook and readiness to integrate with national priorities.

During the inaugural session, significant documents were released, including the Geological Potential of Northeast India, which contains the details of the vast yet underexplored mineral resources of the eight Northeast States, laying the roadmap for strategic exploration, research, augmentation and sustainable development. The document on Mining in India's Northeast by the Indian Bureau of Mines was also released.

Kaushik Rai, Minister of Mines, Assam; Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, Minister of Mines, Sikkim; Wangki Lowang, Minister of Mines, Arunachal Pradesh; W Chingang Konyak, MLA & Adviser to CM, Nagaland; and AT Mondal, Minister of Power, Meghalaya, were also present during the inaugural session.

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