TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 25, 2025: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, Chhattisgarh is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s economic progress through its rich mineral resources. A one-day state-level workshop held at the New Circuit House in Raipur focused on the systematic exploration and exploitation of strategic and tactical minerals found abundantly in the state.
Addressing the inaugural session, Shri P. Dayanand, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of the Mineral Resources Department, emphasized that Chhattisgarh hosts 28 major minerals including coal, limestone, iron ore, bauxite, tin ore, and critical minerals of strategic and nuclear importance such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The workshop aimed to boost efforts under the National Program on Exploration Strategy and the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), facilitating the active involvement of national agencies and expediting key mineral projects.
Modern Technology Driving Mineral Exploration
The workshop, jointly organized by the Department of Mineral Resources and the Chhattisgarh Geology and Mining Directorate, showcased advanced scientific techniques for mineral exploration. Shri Ravikant Gupta of the Geological Survey of India highlighted Chhattisgarh’s geological landscape and potential exploration areas. Meanwhile, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar of Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited introduced cutting-edge geophysical and geochemical methods for minerals like lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, tungsten, and phosphate.
NMET’s Akshay Verma outlined proposal preparation, funding, and grant policies, urging increased state participation to leverage available opportunities.
Chhattisgarh’s Role in Global Mineral Supply Chain
Experts at the workshop noted the state’s mineral diversity and quality position it as a crucial link in the global mineral supply chain. They recommended balancing mineral production with market demand and future prospects to lead mineral-based industrial growth in the region.
Focus on Strategic Development and Coordination
In the closing session, officials reviewed existing mineral surveys and project proposals, emphasizing enhanced technical capabilities and inter-departmental coordination. Senior Directorate officials underscored minerals as a foundation for economic development and stressed that transparent, technically proficient, and timely processes will attract both private and public investments. The workshop concluded with a call for collaborative, long-term strategies to achieve sustainable industrial development centered on mineral resources.
The event brought together central and state agencies, research institutes, policy experts, and technical specialists including Prof. Sahendra Singh (IIT Dhanbad), Shri Prem Prakash (IBM), Director Rajat Bansal, Joint Director Anurag Dewan, and Shri Sanjay Kankane.
Chhattisgarh is clearly on track to emerge as a national leader in strategic mineral exploration and industrial development, boosting India’s position in the global minerals market.
