MiningSector – Government Pushes Faster Critical Mineral Exploration Across India
MiningSector – India’s mining and exploration sector is set to witness faster execution of pending projects after Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy directed government agencies to adopt a mission-oriented approach for strengthening the country’s mineral security. During a series of review meetings held in Bengaluru on Monday, the Minister stressed the importance of timely project completion, modern technology adoption and stronger coordination among agencies working under the Ministry of Mines.
Focus on Critical Mineral Exploration
Senior officials from the Geological Survey of India, Indian Bureau of Mines, National Institute of Rock Mechanics and the Remote Sensing & Aerial Survey division attended the high-level meetings. Discussions largely centred on speeding up the exploration of critical minerals that are considered essential for India’s future manufacturing and energy needs.
The review covered ongoing work related to rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, nickel, tungsten, vanadium and platinum group minerals. These resources are increasingly important for sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy equipment, electronics production and defence manufacturing.
Officials reviewed the current status of exploration activities, technological upgrades and project implementation schedules. The Minister instructed all organisations to reduce delays and ensure that projects move forward with clearly defined timelines and measurable outcomes.
Minister Calls for Greater Accountability
During the meetings, G Kishan Reddy emphasised that mining and exploration agencies must work with greater efficiency and transparency. He said public institutions connected with the sector should deliver visible results and maintain accountability in every stage of project execution.
According to the Minister, India’s long-term economic expansion depends heavily on securing reliable supplies of strategic minerals. He also highlighted the importance of reducing dependence on imports by increasing domestic exploration and mineral development.
Reddy noted that the country is moving towards becoming a globally competitive economy and that the mining sector will play an important role in supporting industrial growth and infrastructure expansion in the coming years.
Geological Survey Shares New Findings
The Geological Survey of India presented updates on exploration activities being carried out in different states, including Karnataka and Goa. Officials informed the meeting about potential reserves of gold, copper, nickel and cobalt identified during recent studies.
The agency also shared details of its long-term exploration roadmap, which includes large-scale geological mapping and advanced technology-based surveys over nearly 48,000 square kilometres. Artificial intelligence tools are also being introduced to improve mineral identification and exploration efficiency.
Officials said the use of digital systems and data analysis technologies is expected to strengthen future mineral discovery programmes and support faster decision-making.
Technology and Safety Projects Reviewed
The National Institute of Rock Mechanics briefed the Minister on its work related to mining safety and infrastructure development projects. The institute is currently supporting projects linked to tunnelling operations, metro rail construction, hydropower facilities and seismic monitoring systems.
Meanwhile, the Indian Bureau of Mines highlighted efforts aimed at promoting sustainable mining practices and scientific mine closure systems. The bureau also discussed programmes focused on recovering critical minerals under various national initiatives designed to improve resource utilisation.
The meetings also reviewed steps being taken to modernise the sector through better monitoring systems, improved environmental management and advanced operational technologies.
Progress Under National Mapping Programme
The Remote Sensing & Aerial Survey division informed the Minister about progress achieved under the National Aerogeophysical Mapping Programme. Officials stated that surveys covering more than 6.5 lakh square kilometres have been completed using airborne geophysical technologies and hyperspectral imaging systems.
According to the division, the programme has already supported over 200 mineral exploration projects across different parts of the country. These surveys are expected to improve the identification of mineral-rich zones and help agencies plan future exploration activities more effectively.
The government believes that faster exploration and improved coordination between agencies will help India secure critical mineral resources needed for industrial growth, clean energy development and long-term economic stability.