We will make Chhattisgarh’s participation in the mining sector more effective by coordinating with the central government: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai
Chhattisgarh’s role is leading in achieving the target of one billion tonnes of coal production in the country: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy
Chief Minister and Union Minister provided the composite license contract of the country’s first lithium block
Meaningful discussion on extensive exploration of minerals of strategic importance
Raipur, 11 April 2025: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy held a review meeting of the Mineral Department at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan today. In the meeting, a detailed review of Chhattisgarh’s mineral wealth, exploration work, technological innovations and revenue achievements was done. Union Minister Reddy expressed happiness over Chhattisgarh’s achievements in the mining sector and spoke about the state’s leading role in the progress of the country. He expressed happiness over achieving the target of 1 billion tonnes in coal production in the year 2024-2025 in the country and appreciated Chhattisgarh’s contribution in achieving it. On this occasion, the Chief Minister and the Union Minister handed over the composite license contract documents of the country’s first lithium block to the representative of the successful bidder. Also, preferred bidder orders were provided for three iron ore blocks in Dantewada district and one in Kanker district. Chief Minister Sai said that today’s review meeting will be beneficial for the coal and mining sector in the state. We will make Chhattisgarh’s participation in the mining sector more effective by doing necessary coordination with the central government. Our goal is to make our state a strong pillar through the mineral sector in the construction of a developed India. Sai said that Chhattisgarh is a state full of mineral resources and many innovative initiatives have been taken to ensure proper and sustainable use of resources. Our state has availability of many critical minerals including coal, iron ore, bauxite, tin, limestone, which play an important role in strengthening the economy of the state as well as in the industrial progress of the country. Keeping in view the need for minerals of strategic importance in the perspective of the concept of a developed nation, the department is giving priority to the exploration of critical minerals by making extensive changes in its exploration plan.
Sai said that measures like mineral online portal, e-auction process, star rating are being adopted to bring transparency, environmental responsibility and technical efficiency. He said that priority is being given to inclusive development of mining affected areas through DMF. Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said that Chhattisgarh is a very rich and strategically important state in terms of mineral resources. Along with important minerals like coal, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, Chhattisgarh also has the distinction of being the only tin producing state in the country. Reddy said that the role of ‘critical minerals’ and mining sector is very important in the creation of a developed India. The pioneering steps taken by Chhattisgarh in this direction are a milestone in making India self-reliant. He said that the Central Government will work together with the State Government for exploration, sustainable use of mineral resources and development of mining affected areas. He expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh will continue to contribute effectively in the overall development of the country by playing its strong role in the mineral sector. Union Minister Reddy mentioned the inspection of the country’s largest coal mine Gevra during his stay in Chhattisgarh. He also appreciated the innovations and state-of-the-art technologies being used in the mine. Referring to the tree plantation site developed with Japanese Miyawaki technology in Gevra, he also talked about the use of this initiative on a large scale. Reddy also talked about providing solar power under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana in mining affected areas. He also inquired about the progress of the dedicated coal corridor being built for coal transportation in view of the increasing traffic pressure and civil safety in mining areas. Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of Mineral Resources Department P. Dayanand gave detailed information about the mining activities and policies run by the state government through a power point presentation. He said that many important initiatives have been taken by better coordinating the policies of the Central and State Governments for proper exploitation and management of mineral resources. He said that 28 types of minerals are present in the state. Our state, despite having only 4% of the total area of the country, contributes more than 17% to the national mineral production value and ranks second among the mineral producing states.
Referring to the historic progress in mineral revenue and exploration, Secretary to the Chief Minister P Dayanand said that in the financial year 2024-25, Chhattisgarh has earned mineral revenue of about Rs 14,195 crore, which is 23% of the total income of the state and 11% of GSDP. The state has successfully allocated 48 main mineral blocks through e-auction. He said that out of 56 exploration projects of 2024-25, 32 are for strategic, critical and deep seated minerals. In the last years, 10 blocks of important minerals like graphite, glauconite, nickel-chromium-PGI, gold have been allocated through e-auction. He said that the country’s first lithium block has been successfully allocated in Katghora, which is a big step towards energy security and it reflects the capability and commitment of our state. Secretary to the Chief Minister P. Dayanand said that transparency and efficiency have been ensured by initiatives like Mineral Online Portal, Cloud Based Vehicle Tracking System. At the same time, the star rating system for minor minerals, scientific mining and sustainable mining with environmental protection have been strengthened. He said that the projects of redevelopment of former mines like Kenpara Eco Tourism in Vishrampur and Kinnow Garden in Jamul are important steps taken in this direction. He said that the rail projects worth Rs 720 crore for construction of railway tracks in the mineral-rich interior areas of the state from the Mineral Development Fund are strengthening the transport infrastructure. He said that through the DMF portal, inclusive development of mining affected areas is being ensured in 33 districts with an amount of more than 15 thousand crores. Chief Minister and Union Minister handed over composite licenses of lithium blocks and preferred bidder orders of iron ore blocks
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy handed over the composite license contract document of Katghora lithium block and preferred bidder orders of 04 iron ore blocks to the successful bidders during the review meeting today. Along with this, 03 geological reports of tin mineral have been submitted to the Ministry of Coal, Government of India for allocation through e-auction. Since tin is a mineral of strategic importance, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India has the right to allocate it under the Mineral Act. The Mineral Department of the state has identified three blocks under Dantewada, Sukma and Bastar districts of Chhattisgarh state. These include village Nerli, District Dantewada; village Kuma Koleng, District Sukma; and village Kuma Koleng, District Sukma and Bastar. It is noteworthy that India’s first lithium block has been allotted by the Central Government to Maiki South Mining Pvt. Ltd. in Katghora area of Korba district through e-auction with the highest bid of 76.05%. Apart from this, the state government has allotted a total of four iron ore blocks of Dantewada and Kanker districts to the highest bidders Arcelor Mittal, Rungta Sons and Sagar Stone through e-auction. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Shehla Nigar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Industries Department Secretary Rajat Kumar, Secretary Ankit Anand, Additional Secretary of Coal Ministry Mrs. Rupinder Brar, Joint Secretary B. P. Pati, Chairman of Coal India Limited P. M. Prasad, SECL CMD Harish Duhan, Mineral Director Sunil Jain and officials of Indian Bureau of Mines along with officials of the Mineral Department of Central and State Government were present.