Vidarbha marching towards becoming mining, green steel hub: CM Fadnavis

Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that Vidarbha holds the potential to become a primary engine of India's economic growth through mining and can contribute significantly to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047', and that a new ecosystem is emerging in the mining sector in Gadchiroli, sparking the country's first clean green steel revolution.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day 36th National Convention of Mining Engineers and a national seminar on 'Mining for Viksit Bharat @ 2047', organised by the Nagpur Local Centre of The Institution of Engineers (India).

The Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing new research in the mining sector.

Highlighting Vidarbha’s abundant mineral wealth, particularly the iron ore reserves in Gadchiroli, CM Fadnavis noted that an investment of approximately Rs 5 lakh crore and a steel production capacity of nearly 50 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) were being developed in the region. He added that under a new national mission, four out of the eight proposed coal gasification projects have been awarded to Vidarbha.

Alongside Gadchiroli, a new industrial ecosystem can be developed across Chandrapur, Bhandara, Nagpur, Gondia, and Yavatmal districts. Green steel, clean technology, and enhanced logistics connectivity will generate large-scale employment and economic opportunities in this region, the Chief Minister remarked.

In his introductory address, Dr Sandeep Shirkhedkar, Chairman of the Organising Committee, highlighted the major challenges facing the mining sector. He emphasised the need for comprehensive discussions on critical minerals, modern technology, and mine closure processes. He also underscored the necessity of establishing training centres, arbitration facilities, and testing labs alongside building a robust ecosystem for extracting and utilising critical minerals.

With a network of over 4,000 mining engineers across the country under The Institution of Engineers (India), including nearly 300 based in Nagpur, Dr Shirkhedkar assured the institution's full support to the Maharashtra government and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in mining development initiatives.

He also provided details on the keynote lectures, technical presentations, and a 25-stall exhibition featured at the convention.

Dr Anupam Kher, Convener of the Convention, noted that 'Mining for Viksit Bharat @ 2047' is not just the convention theme, but a national motivation. He emphasised the need to balance technology, sustainability, and safety while meeting the growing demand for coal, iron ore, and limestone, alongside critical minerals like lithium and graphite.

Suresh Chandra Suman, Chairman of the Mining Division Board, stated that minerals form the foundation of modern industry, infrastructure, and India's overall growth. He highlighted that AI, automation, drones, sensors, and real-time monitoring will make mining more efficient, safe, and sustainable. Emphasising worker safety above any production target, Suman declared mineral safety a foundational pillar for a developed India.

Dr Hemant Sharad Pandey, CMD of Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL), said the convention was organised with the goal of developing Nagpur into the nation's 'Mining Capital'. He announced that WCL has identified 18 critical minerals and rare earth elements across 12 mines, diversifying beyond coal into the extraction and refining of critical minerals.

He stressed the need to transform Vidarbha from merely a mineral-rich region into a high-value, high-income resource centre, mentioning initiatives like the proposed coal gasification hub at Majri, aligned with 'Make in India', PLI schemes, 'Startup India', and 'Skill India'. He added that WCL is also placing strong emphasis on water conservation, environmental sustainability, and eco-tourism.

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