Union Minister of Mines, Pralhad Joshi today expected that India should be Aatmanirbhar in the Mining sector. We should adopt technology, use Artificial Intelligence, and best global practices to achieve more mine exploration. India has decided to bring zero import of thermal coal. This year total coal production in the country will be around 900 Million tonnes while next year, Coal India Limited will alone generate 1 billion tons of coal. Joshi was addressing the 75th Anniversary Day function of the Indian Bureau of Mines celebrated at the auditorium of National Fire Service College in Nagpur. The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) is celebrating its 75th anniversary as ‘Khanij Diwas’.
While stressing various reforms brought in the Mining Sector, Minister of Mines, Pralhad Joshi informed that Ministry has decriminalized 49 rules in mineral concession and 24 rules in mineral conservation and development. He said we want to trust our people. Ever since the auction regime began, 239 mineral blocks have been auctioned from 2015 till now. Post 2021, 131 mineral blocks have been auctioned. He underlined the need to operationalize these mineral blocks within 5 years with help of state governments and industry stakeholders.
While IBM is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, the Minister appealed that it is time for us to think about how India’s mining sector should be in the year 2047. As minerals are the sources of revenue for the state. Joshi expected that the mining sector should try to contribute at least 2.5% of GDP by the year 2026-27. This GDP contribution target should be achieved by investment and industry-friendly changes brought in by the government, he expected on this occasion.
Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Vivek Bhardwaj said that the mining tenement system available in India is unavailable even in developed countries like Canada, and South Africa. He expected that on the 75th Anniversary of IBM, the Indian Bureau of Mines should try to achieve international standards and aim to be an International Bureau of Mines.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Sanjay Lohiya, informed about various initiatives of IBM. He said IBM is functioning as a regulator of the mining sector, and data repository of mines, and it also sets benchmarks for sustainable and scientific mining. He also informed that IBM and National Environment Engineering Research Institute – NEERI Nagpur have conducted joint research for the scientific closing of abandoned mines in Al-Salvador, a country in Latin America.
A total of 76 mines that have received 5-Star ratings, for the adoption of best practices in mining were felicitated by giving mementos and certificates at the hands of the Union Minister for Mines Pralhad Joshi during this program.
PN Sharma, Controller of Mines, IBM gave the welcome address on the occasion of the 75th Khanij Diwas. A special postage stamp and a souvenir were released by Minister of Mines, Pralhad Joshi to mark the 75th Anniversary of IBM Nagpur.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Vivek Bhardwaj, inaugurated the Exhibition of Stalls put up at the venue by various Mining/Mineral Bodies. The Morning Session commenced with the screening of a film on IBM’s journey of the last 75 years. This was followed by presentations on “Best Practices by Mining Companies” and Presentations on “Mining Plan and Drone Survey”.
Various models of minerals, metals, and ores were displayed in the exhibition. Stalls of PSUs like National Mineral Development Corporation – NMDC, Steel Authority of India Limited – SAIL, and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited – MECL were installed in this exhibition. Union Minister for Mines, Pralhad Joshi also visited the exhibition mounted on the occasion of Khanij Diwas. Representatives from the mineral industry visited this exhibition. A host of dignitaries from many Central & State Departments related to Mines & Minerals, Public Sector Undertakings & Private sector mining companies were present in this program.
