Mines ministry to host workshop on draft state mining index framework in Delhi

New Delhi: The Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology - Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM), Dhanbad, is scheduled to hold a one-day workshop on May 8, 2024, in Delhi. The workshop aims to deliberate on the draft framework of the State Mining Index, designed to assess the performance of the mining sector across Indian states.

Chaired by Mines secretary V. L. Kantha Rao, the event will see participation from senior state officials. The index is focused on evaluating the states' performance and readiness in mining activities, covering both non-fuel major minerals and minor minerals.

The initiative reflects the significant role of the mining sector in supplying critical raw materials to various key industries, including steel, non-ferrous metals, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, and electronics. "The States have a crucial role to play in the development of the country’s mining sector. For a mining sector vision that prioritizes resource use efficiency with equity, sustainability, and responsibility, focused attention is required on the exploration of India’s geography; taking actions for facilitating future mineral production and working for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations," said the mines ministry.

The workshop forms a key part of a broader strategy to ensure transparency and objectivity in developing the state mining index, with states being consulted at every stage of the index's development. Feedback gathered during the workshop will contribute to the finalization of the framework. The Ministry has commissioned IIT-ISM Dhanbad to undertake the study required to design, collect data, and formulate the index, emphasizing the collaborative effort in this national endeavor.