India should be Aatmanirbhar in Mining sector: Pralhad Joshi

Union  Minister of Mines, Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, March 1, aimed to make India Aatmanirbhar in Mining sector. "We should adopt technology, use of 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 ton of coal," shared.

Joshi was addressing the 75th Anniversary Day function of Indian Bureau of Mines celebrated at auditorium of National Fire Service College in Nagpur. The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) established on the 1st March, 1948 based in civil lines area of Nagpur is celebrating its 75th anniversary as ‘Khanij Diwas’. Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Secretary, Ministry of  Mines,    Sanjay Lohiya, Controller of Mines, IBM, Nagpur,  P.N.Sharma were present prominently on  this occasion.

While stressing upon various reforms brought in Mining Sector, Minister of Mines, Sh. 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. He informed that, 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.

The Minister appealed that It is time for us to think how India's mining sector should be in the year 2047. As minerals are the sources of revenue of the state. Joshi expected that the, 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 with India is unavailable even with developed countries like Canada, South Africa. He expected that on 75th Anniversary of IBM , 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 regulator mining sector, 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 country of Latin America.

A total of 76 mines which have received 5-Star rating, for adoption of best practices in mining were felicitated by giving memento and certificate at the hands of Union Minister for Mines Pralhad Joshi  during this programme .