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Chhattisgarh finalises 45 high-impact mineral exploration projects
Chhattisgarh's State Geological Programming Board has approved 45 high-priority mineral exploration projects for the next fiscal year, focusing on critical and strategic minerals. The meeting, chaired by Mineral Resources Secretary P Dayanand,…
Chhattisgarh's State Geological Programming Board has approved 45 high-priority mineral exploration projects for the next fiscal year, focusing on critical and strategic minerals. The meeting, chaired by Mineral Resources Secretary P Dayanand, included officials from the Geological Survey of India, central research bodies, and industry leaders.
The plan includes 35 critical and strategic mineral blocks, 4 deep-seated mineral blocks, and 6 bulk mineral projects. The GSI's Raipur unit will lead 25 of the projects, using advanced technology, particularly in the South Bastar region.
The state will target lithium, rare earth elements, rare metals, graphite, tin-tantalum-niobium, glauconite, and bauxite. Officials highlighted Chhattisgarh's record revenue generation and recent exploration achievements as the state aims to strengthen its mineral resource base.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Chhattisgarh already accounts for a major share of India's coal and iron ore production, but this push into critical minerals like lithium and rare earths is new. These minerals are vital for batteries, defence electronics, and renewable energy, and India currently imports nearly all of them. The 35 critical-mineral blocks signal a strategic shift to reduce import dependence. Success will depend on the GSI's ability to prove viable deposits at depth, where exploration is costlier and technically harder. The next concrete step is the award of exploration contracts and the first drilling results, expected by mid-2026.
Source: newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
