TFP Bureau, Raipur; May 10, 2024 – Union Mineral Secretary, Shri V.L. Kanta Rao, chaired a meeting today at the New Circuit House, Nava Raipur, Atal Nagar, to discuss and review mining activities in Chhattisgarh. The meeting, attended by key officials from the state’s Revenue, Environment, and Mineral Departments, as well as representatives from various industries, focused on optimizing mining operations and ensuring sustainable practices.
During the session, Mr. P. Dayanand, Secretary of the Mineral Resources Department, provided comprehensive insights into the department’s activities and initiatives in the state. Revenue Secretary Mr. Avinash Champawat, Environment Secretary Mrs. R. Sangeeta, Director of Mineral Department Mr. Sunil Jain, and officials from public sector undertakings also contributed to the discussions.
Union Secretary Shri Rao engaged with industrial representatives to gather feedback on mining and mineral industry operations in the state. He emphasized the importance of adopting green mining technologies to minimize environmental impact and maximize efficiency. Mr. Rao underscored the need to leverage green energy solutions in mining operations and urged for increased contribution of mineral resources to the GDP, aiming to surpass the current two percent mark.
Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s prominent position in mineral resources availability and mining activities nationwide, Mr. Rao stressed the importance of furthering mining endeavors for both state and national economic growth. He advocated for advancements in critical mineral processing and emphasized the significance of technological innovation in the sector.
Industrial representatives expressed the need for streamlined processes, including a single-window system for land-related approvals, addressing iron ore shortages, and expediting forest and environmental clearances. Mr. Rao proposed enhanced coordination between stakeholders and departments to accelerate the operationalization of approved mines.
Instructing Mineral Resources Department officials, Mr. Rao emphasized the prevention of illegal mining activities in closed mines and urged for proactive steps to initiate mining processes where feasible. He highlighted Chhattisgarh’s pioneering use of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) online portal for community development in mining-affected areas and called for its expanded utilization.
The meeting concluded with directives for regular reviews of mining closures and handovers at the state level, along with updates on operational mineral blocks. Mr. Rao also highlighted ongoing research and development efforts in the mining sector and outlined plans for enhanced monitoring and action through dedicated cells and the National Geoscience Data Repository.
Mr. Dayanand reiterated his commitment to implementing the directives from the Central Secretary and assured that stakeholder suggestions would be duly considered. Mr. Anurag Diwan, Joint Director of the Mineral Department, delivered a detailed presentation on the state’s mining activities and their significance in driving economic growth.
