Team News Riveting
Bhopal, October 16
A two-day mining conclave will be held on October 17-18 with focus on the perspectives of industrialists and academicians.
The event will be organised at the International Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Center in Bhopal. Technical sessions will also be held on advances in digitalization and mining technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The participants will also get an opportunity to gain insight into upcoming technologies by mining start-ups. Various sessions of the conclave include Coal and Energy, Advances in Exploration, Limestone and Cement, Mineral Opportunities, Mineral Development, and Energy and Hydro-Carbon, which will highlight new energy possibilities. The second day of the conclave, on 18th October, will see a round table meeting focused on mineral-based industries, coal, energy, and hydro-carbon, which will provide a platform for collaboration and discussion among the stakeholders.
A state government spokesperson said Madhya Pradesh, rich in natural resources, supported by favorable policies and robust infrastructure, offers vast potential for investment and growth in the mining sector, a vital contributor to India’s mineral wealth. As the nation’s sole diamond-producing state and a leading source of various other minerals, Madhya Pradesh ranks first in manganese, copper, and ore production, second in rock phosphate, third in limestone, and fourth in coal. These achievements underscore the state’s pivotal role in the mineral industry and its contribution to energy security.
The country’s only diamond deposit is in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. Operation of the Majhgan diamond mine here has also started. The diamond mine produces one lakh carats of diamonds every year. Also, Bunder Diamond Block has reserves of 32.2 million carats of diamonds. Malazkhand Copper Mine in the state is India’s largest copper mine. 5 to 10 thousand tonnes of copper is extracted from here every day. 70 percent of India’s total copper reserves are in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, the Sasan coal mine located in the state is also famous for huge mining equipment. A moving dragline is used here, with a bucket of 61 cubic meters, which is the largest so far in India. This is the largest private coal-producing block in the country, which gives Madhya Pradesh a strong identity in the mining sector.
Despite Madhya Pradesh having 9 percent reserves of limestone, it contributes 15 percent in the limestone production in the country. Due to its abundant coal and other essential resources, the state accounts for 7 percent of India’s cement production capacity, which is increasing every year.
There are large reserves of coalbed methane (CBM) in the state. It ranks sixth in resources in the country, but second in production. This shows that the state is making better use of not only mineral resources but also alternative energy sources to enhance its energy security, thereby contributing to the Net Zero Mission.
Sohagpur East and West CVM Block of Madhya Pradesh is operated by Reliance Industries Limited. To transport the extracted gas to the market, a gas pipeline will be constructed from Shahdol to Phulpur, which will be connected to the Hazira-Vijaypur-Jagdishpur pipeline network. This project will further strengthen the state’s role in the energy sector by connecting it to the national gas system. The state is in an excellent position in the field of logistics. There are 5.1 lakh kilometer long roads, 6 Inland Container Depots (ICDs), and 7 airports, which connect the state to national and international markets and enhance ease of doing business.
Along with mineral wealth, Madhya Pradesh also fulfills other industrial needs. Adequate power supply, water resources, and skilled labour are available, which create a favorable environment for industrial operations. The state will provide comprehensive support to investors and mining operators. To simplify the administrative process, coordination is done with the bidder, making it easier to obtain necessary clearances and approvals.
To realize the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, District Mineral Fund (DMF) has been established with the amendment of Mineral Law in the year 2015, in which till now more than 7 thousand 531 projects have been completed, which are improving the lives of people mining affected areas of the state.
Mineral Resources Department (MRD) of Madhya Pradesh has been the leader in the country in mineral block auctions. 78 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned by Madhya Pradesh. The state has bagged the first position in the country in the mineral block auction in February 2022-23. The state also received the first prize for major and minor mineral auction by the Government of India in July 2022, which is proof of excellence in mineral resources and management of the state.
