Raipur, the 25th meeting of the State Level Geological Program Board Chhattisgarh as the Silver Jubilee was held today at New Circuit House located in Civil Line under the chairmanship of Mr. P. Dayanand, Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, Department of Mineral Resources and Chairman, Chhattisgarh Geological Program Board. Mr. Rajat Bansal, Director of Geology and Mining and representatives of various departments, undertakings of the Central Government and the State Government were also present in the meeting. The main objective of the meeting was to better utilize mineral resources in the state, prepare a roadmap for new mining projects and review the achievements of the previous year.
A detailed description of the mining works completed during the year 2024-25 and the achievements received from them was presented in the meeting. During the review, it came to light that the state has received approximately Rs 15 thousand crore in the form of mineral revenue in the last financial year. This achievement is about 34 percent more than that of the year 2023-24. This increase has not only strengthened the economic structure of the state, but has also opened the doors to new investments and opportunities in the mining sector. The geological works done in the year 2024-25 by the departments and institutions of the Government of India and the State Government working in the field of mineral exploration and mineral exploitation in the state of Chhattisgarh were reviewed. During the review, while the achievements of the works completed in the year 2024-25 were discussed, the proposed geological works for the year 2025-26 were finalized for the exploration of minerals found in the state.
Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. P. Dayanand said in his address that minerals are the backbone of the overall development of any state and country. The discovery of strategic and critical minerals in the state indicates the beginning of a new era of development in the state. He said that for the establishment of new mineral-based industries in Chhattisgarh, continuous and systematic exploration of various minerals available in the state should be done. All the departments and institutions associated with the exploration works present in the meeting were requested that for the overall development of Chhattisgarh, they should explore the important minerals found in the state by using their skills, resources and the latest technologies available. The Secretary to the Chief Minister and Mineral Secretary Mr. Dayanand advised that the data produced should be shared and coordination should be established among the agencies working for the development of minerals in Chhattisgarh.
In the meeting, Mr. Rajat Bansal, Director of Geology and Mining, Chhattisgarh, while giving information about the works completed in the regional session 2024-25, said that in the year 2024-25, about 2500 million tonnes of limestone and about 93 million tonnes of iron ore reserves were estimated. In the exploration projects of the upcoming regional session 2025-26, the department has included important and strategic minerals. This project will be a decisive step towards the necessary mineral resources for the country. It will strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and encourage sustainable and self-reliant development in strategic areas. He said that “the Chhattisgarh government is committed to providing full support for scientific and detailed mineral exploration and development.”
The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has approved 01 exploration project for limestone and 01 for bauxite in Chhattisgarh under NMET in the year 2024-25. Two proposals were approved for the notified private exploration institute under NMET for exploration work of the state. In which one lithium, niobium, tantalum, titanium rare earth metals and one iron ore proposal are included. The department has taken important steps towards strengthening exploration and refinement of mineral resources by promoting cooperation with private institutions.
Information on mineral exploration works done in the state of Chhattisgarh was also presented by the representatives of various departments, undertakings of the Central Government and the State Government. First of all, Dr. Amit Dharwarker, Deputy Director General, Geological Survey of India, stated that survey work has been done in various districts of Chhattisgarh for bauxite, gold, glauconite, lithium, titanium rare earth metals, phosphorite, fluorite, lead and zinc minerals. A total of 29 projects on various minerals are being undertaken in the year 2025-26.
The Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chhattisgarh, has approved a total of 11 exploration projects for survey / prospecting work in the year 2025-26. This includes 02 on strategic and critical minerals, 02 on glauconite, 01 on lepidolite, 02 on limestone, 02 on iron ore and 02 on bauxite.
On this occasion, Mr. Prem Prakash, Regional Controller of IBM Raipur, Regional Mining Geologist Mr. D. Das, Deputy Director General of GSI Raipur Mr. Amit A Dharwadkar, Regional Director of AMD Central Region Mr. S.R. Manthanwar along with the officers of N.M.D.C., CIL, Vedanta, Ultratech, Deccan Gold and other concerned department officials were present.