The recent 25th meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Level Geological Program Mandal, held at the New Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur, highlighted significant developments in the state’s mining sector. Chaired by P. Dayanan, Secretary of the Mineral Resources Department, the meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategic initiatives and review past achievements.
A central theme of the meeting was the robust financial performance of the mining sector in the fiscal year 2024-25. The state is projected to generate over ₹15,000 crore in revenue from mineral resources, reflecting a substantial 34% increase compared to the previous year. This growth underscores the sector’s vital role in strengthening Chhattisgarh’s economy and attracting further investment.
During the discussions, P. Dayanan underscored the importance of minerals in driving comprehensive development. He noted that the discovery of strategic and critical minerals in Chhattisgarh signifies the beginning of a new phase of economic growth. A key focus will be the continuous and systematic exploration of the state’s mineral wealth to facilitate the establishment of new industries.
Participants were urged to leverage their expertise and technologies to explore Chhattisgarh’s mineral resources. Furthermore, Dayanan emphasized the importance of data sharing and coordination among government agencies involved in mineral development.
Rajat Bansal, Director of Geology and Mining, presented details of completed projects during the 2024-25 regional session. Notably, approximately 2500 million tonnes of limestone and 93 million tonnes of iron ore reserves were assessed. The department is planning to include important and strategic minerals in its upcoming exploration projects for the 2025-26 session.
These initiatives are considered crucial for securing essential mineral resources and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission. The Chhattisgarh government is committed to supporting extensive mineral exploration and development efforts.
The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has authorized exploration projects under NMET, including projects for limestone and bauxite in 2024-25. The state is also encouraging partnerships with private exploration institutions to bolster mineral exploration and refinement initiatives.
Representatives from various government departments presented information on mineral exploration activities. The Geological Survey of India has undertaken surveys for various minerals across different districts of Chhattisgarh, including bauxite, gold, lithium, and rare earth metals. A total of 29 projects are slated for the year 2025-26, focusing on different minerals.
The Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chhattisgarh, has approved 11 exploration projects for the upcoming year, focusing on strategic minerals, iron ore, limestone, and bauxite. Key industry figures and government officials attended the meeting, highlighting the collaborative effort to enhance Chhattisgarh’s mining potential.
