CHIEF Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said that Chhattisgarh aims to develop a complete mineral value chain within State, encompassing exploration, mining, processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling. Addressing a roadshow on the eighth tranche of auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, organised by the Union Ministry of Mines at Mayfair Lake Resort in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Sai said the state’s mineral wealth and emerging potential in critical minerals could attract investment, support new industries and generate employment for youth. He said Chhattisgarh has significant potential for lithium and rare earth elements in Katghora and Bastar; graphite, vanadium and gallium in Balrampur; phosphorite in Balod; and nickel, chromium and glauconite in Mahasamund. The Chief Minister said the eighth tranche includes 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across seven states, including five in Chhattisgarh. He urged investors to participate actively in the auction, describing the blocks as an opportunity to strengthen exploration, processing, value addition, innovation and mineral-based industries in the state. Sai said that the State Government was creating an investment-friendly environment through its new industrial policy and measures aimed at improving ease of doing business. He said investors were being offered incentives such as capital investment assistance, exemptions in stamp duty and electricity duty, interest subsidies and employmentlinked incentives.Highlighting the rise in mineral revenue, Sai said Chhattisgarh earned around Rs 400 crore from mineral resources when the state was formed. The revenue rose to around Rs 12,000 crore two-and-a-half years ago and has now crossed Rs 16,000 crore, he said.

 

He added that revenue from mineral resources was being utilised for development and public welfare, including projects in mining-affected areas through the District Mineral Foundation Trust. During the programme, the Chief Minister launched the E-Ret Sangwari and Tin Portal. The e-Ret Sangwari portal will facilitate the supply of sand at concessional rates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Tin Portal is aimed at ensuring fair prices and greater transparency for tribal communities associated with tin production in the Dantewada region. Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said India’s self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals was vital to strengthening its economic security and strategic capabilities. He urged investors, youth and startups to explore the sector’s potential while ensuring responsible mining, environmental protection and safeguards for local communities. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said mineral-block auctions must lead to exploration, investment, processing units, technology development, value addition and jobs. He stressed planned civic infrastructure in mining and industrial growth areas. Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel assured investors of government handholding for environmental, forest, land acquisition and other approvals, and encouraged investment across the mineral value chain and downstream industries. Union Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks had been auctioned nationally, with 56 successfully allotted.

 

He identified Chhattisgarh’s Katghora lithium and rare earth element block as India’s first lithium-bearing mineral block auctioned. CMDC chairman Saurabh Singh also addressed the programme. Mineral Resources Secretary P Dayanand said the state was strengthening scientific exploration, geological data collection, mapping and transparent auction systems to promote mineral-based industries, local employment and value addition. Director of Mineral Resources and Managing Director of CMDC Rajat Bansal said that under the Chief Minister’s directions, the state was focusing on scientific exploration of mineral resources along with sustainable mining practices. Two memoranda of understanding were signed during the event. CMDC entered into an agreement with Indian Overseas Bank for financial cooperation, while another MoU with Pt Ravishankar Shukla University will support training in corundum cutting and polishing. A book on minor minerals was released on the occasion. The process for issuing notices inviting tenders for three limestone mining lease blocks was also initiated. Union Ministry of Mines Joint Secretary Kadam Sandeep Vasant, senior central and state government officials, mineral-sector investors, industry representatives, experts and other stakeholders attended the programme.