The second state mining ministers’ conference, scheduled for January 23 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, will highlight the pivotal role of the mining industry in fostering economic growth. The ministry of mines has consistently emphasised the importance of increased exploration and sustainable mining practices. The focus extends to the exploration of ‘Critical and Strategic Minerals’ to enhance the country’s self-reliance in these essential resources.
The conference aims to provide a platform for discussing and deliberating issues within the mining sector, facilitating the implementation of recent policy reforms. The conference’s central theme is to formulate strategies and enhance the effectiveness of new policy initiatives undertaken by the central government. Recognising the critical role of mineral exploration in meeting global demand, the conference seeks to strengthen collaboration between the ministry of mines and various state governments, addressing strategies necessary to achieve the sectors goals.
The conference will serve as a collaborative platform covering various aspects of mining, including exploration, environmental sustainability, mineral processing, technology adoption, and policy reforms. It will showcase best practices and success stories from different states, fostering peer learning and experience sharing to identify sustainable solutions for industry challenges.
As reported by the Press Information Bureau, as part of the conference, three best performing states in the mining sector will be honoured, and the ASP module of the mining tenement system will be introduced alongside the launch of a new template for the star rating system. Participating state mining ministers will contribute their perspectives to strengthen the sector.
A noteworthy provision has been introduced for the grant of exploration licenses for minerals specified in the Seventh Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957, encouraging private sector participation in the exploration of critical and strategic minerals. To boost the exploration of these minerals, the Ministry of Mines has initiated a scheme to directly sanction exploration projects to Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEA).
Additionally, these NPEAs are now permitted to bid for the auctioning of mineral blocks explored by them, a privilege not granted earlier. Rules for the new exploration license regime will be unveiled during the Conference. Moreover, the conference will witness the handover of eighty-seven geological reports to various state governments, along with five coal block exploration reports presented to the ministry of coal.
