Use modern technology to explore minerals, urges mining secretary

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh has generated approximately Rs 13,000 crore in mineral revenue in 2023-24, which is nearly 30 times more than the year of state formation, informed P Dayanand secretary, department of state mineral resources at the 24th meeting of State Level Geological Program Board held on Wednesday.
Dayanand asserted that for the establishment of new mineral-based industries in Chhattisgarh, continuous and systematic exploration of the state's various existing minerals should be conducted.
He said that all departments and institutions involved in exploration activities to utilise their expertise, resources, and the latest available technologies to explore the minerals found in Chhattisgarh for the state's holistic development. He also advised the agencies working on mineral development in Chhattisgarh to share generated data among themselves and establish mutual coordination. P Dayanand reported that approximately Rs 13,000 crore in mineral revenue was generated in 2023-24, which was nearly 30 times more than the year of state formation.
Dayanand reviewed the geological works carried out by the central and state govt departments and institutions in the field of mineral exploration and extraction in 2023-24. During the review, the accomplishments of the completed works in 2023-24 were discussed, and the proposed geological works for 2024-25 to explore the minerals found in the state were finalised.
Sunil Kumar Jain, director of Geology and Mining Department provided information on the completed works of 2023-24, stating that a total of 1,050 million tons of limestone and 179 million tons of iron ore deposits were estimated this year.
The Ministry of Mines, Govt of India, approved one exploration project for limestone under NMET in Chhattisgarh for 2023-24. Three proposals for exploration work in the state were approved for a notified private exploration institution under NMET, including two for graphite and one for rare earth elements (REE).
Representatives from various central and state govt departments and enterprises also presented information on the mineral exploration works carried out in Chhattisgarh.
Sudeep Bhattacharya, Deputy Director General of the Geological Survey of India, reported that surveys were conducted for minerals such as bauxite, gold, copper, glauconite, graphite, base metals, diamond, lithium, REE, PGE, phosphorite, and fluorite in various districts of Chhattisgarh. A total of 25 projects for different minerals are being undertaken in 2024-25.
Joint Director (Geology) Sanjay Kanakne reported that the directorate of geology and mining has approved a total of 12 exploration projects for survey and prospecting work in 2024-25. These include one project for manganese, one for graphite, three for limestone, five for iron ore, and two for bauxite. The Ministry of Mines, Govt of India, approved two proposals for exploration work in the state for a notified private exploration institution under NMET in 2024-25, including one for lithium and one for graphite.
Similarly, a total of 44 projects for 10 different minerals were approved for exploration and prospecting work by various institutions in the state for 2024-25. These include two projects for phosphorite, five for gold, six for glauconite, eleven for REE (Lithium, Tantalum, etc.), one for lead-zinc, one for phosphate, five for bauxite, nine for iron ore, two for copper, one for graphite, and one for lithium.