publiccg Chhattisgarh NEWS
Related Articles
Detailed Discussions Held on Technical and Strategic Aspects of Mineral Exploration in Chhattisgarh
Potential Boost to Investment and Industrial Growth
Raipur, 25 June 2025 – Under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, a one-day state-level workshop was organized at the Convention Hall of New Circuit House, Raipur, focusing on the structured exploration and extraction of strategic and critical minerals available in Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the inaugural session, Chief Minister’s Secretary and Secretary of the Mineral Resources Department, Shri P. Dayanand, stated that Chhattisgarh is a mineral-rich state with a wealth of 28 major minerals, including coal, limestone, dolomite, iron ore, bauxite, tin ore, as well as strategic and atomic minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. He explained that the workshop was organized to accelerate efforts under the National Program on Exploration Strategy and the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). The goal is to ensure the active participation of national exploration agencies and take concrete steps for the swift implementation of strategic mineral projects in the state.
The workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Mineral Resources and the Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chhattisgarh. Its objectives were to promote scientific exploration techniques for effective utilization of India’s critical mineral potential, to strengthen the technical capacity of the proposal submission process, and to ensure the state’s active involvement in national-level strategic exploration policies.
In the technical sessions, Shri Ravikant Gupta of the Geological Survey of India provided in-depth insights into the geological characteristics and potential of OGP (Obvious Geological Potential) areas in Chhattisgarh. Shri Bhuvaneshwar Kumar from Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited delivered a presentation on modern geophysical and geochemical techniques for the exploration of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, tungsten, and phosphate, providing officials with updated methods and practices. Shri Akshay Verma from NMET shared information on proposal preparation, funding, and grant policies, emphasizing the opportunities under NMET and the need for more active participation from the state.
Emphasis on Chhattisgarh’s Role in the Global Mineral Supply Chain
Experts at the workshop highlighted that Chhattisgarh’s mineral diversity and quality can make it a crucial link in the global mineral supply chain. They suggested that by balancing mineral production, market demand, and future opportunities, the state can lead mineral-based industrial development.
In the concluding session, existing mineral surveys, their findings, and proposed projects were reviewed. Officials stressed the need to further enhance technical capabilities and inter-departmental coordination. Senior officials from the Directorate of Geology and Mining stated that mineral resources form the backbone of any state’s economic growth. The workshop made it clear that by adopting transparent, technically sound, and time-bound procedures, Chhattisgarh can not only attract private and public investment but also play a leading role in the national strategic mineral policy. All participants emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and a long-term strategic vision for sustainable mineral-based industrial development.
The workshop was attended by various central and state-level agencies, research institutions, policy advisors, and technical experts, including Prof. Sahendra Singh from IIT Dhanbad, Shri Prem Prakash from IBM, Director Shri Rajat Bansal, Joint Directors Shri Anurag Diwan and Shri Sanjay Kanakane.
