Future of Rajasthan's Mining Sector Looks Bright: Bhagwati Prasad Kalal

Udaipur — The second Rajasthan Mining Summit, focused on exploring new avenues in marketing, export, and financing for the mining sector, was successfully held at the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry's auditorium. The event, organized by the PHDDCCI-Rajasthan Chapter and the Mines and Minerals Committee, featured distinguished speakers from across India who shared their insights and perspectives.

As the chief guest, Bhagwati Prasad Kalal, Managing Director of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited, highlighted the state government's commitment to the sustainable development of the mining sector. He noted that the draft of the Rajasthan Mineral Policy has been uploaded on the website and invited feedback from experts and public representatives to incorporate into the policy. The government has also solicited proposals from national and multinational companies for mining blocks and established a facilitation center in Jaipur to accelerate mineral block exploitation.

Kalal emphasized the need for processing and value addition of minerals within the state to boost new investments, industrialization, job creation, and revenue. He pointed out that Rajasthan has approximately 17 types of rare earth elements and critical minerals, presenting ample business opportunities. He called on entrepreneurs to invest in the sector and contribute to its sustainable development while preserving the environment, aiming for Rajasthan to move from its current third position to a top spot nationally.

ML Lunawat, President of the Udaipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, addressed various issues related to the mining sector and urged the government to address these issues to create a more favorable environment for entrepreneurs.

The President of the Mining Engineers Association of Rajasthan, Udaipur Chapter, emphasized zero-waste mining and the need to increase the import of mineral products into the state.

Rajendra Har Lalka, Vice President of the Federation of Mining Associations of Rajasthan (FMAR), requested the government to enhance business facilitation in the mining sector and develop an appropriate policy framework for processing and value addition. Abhay Agarwal, Mining Controller at the Indian Bureau of Mines, provided information on policy innovations by the central government, while PR Ameta, Additional Director of Mines, shared departmental initiatives and innovations to improve the ease of doing business.

The summit featured a knowledge report prepared by PHDDCCI and LSI Engineering and Consultants. R.K. Gupta, Regional Director of PHDDCCI-Rajasthan, assured continued collaboration with the state government and the mineral industry for future innovations and programs to attract investment.

Notable speakers included Sudipto Mukherjee, Director of Natural Resource Consulting Limited, UK; Arnab Majumdar, Vice President of LSI Engineering and Consultants' Mines and Metals Division; Abhinav Sengupta, Associate Director at Price Waterhouse Coopers; Kalpataru Behera, Branch Manager of ECGC Limited; Lalit Kumar Kiri, CMD of Kiri Oilfield Services Pvt. Ltd.; Prabhat Kumar Jha, Chief General Manager of NSIC; Abhishek Rungta, Assistant Vice President of Resurgent India; and Mithilesh Kumar, Head of PHDDCCI's Sustainability Center. The technical session was conducted by Honorary Secretary General Dr. Telesra.

Experts underscored the need to effectively present and disseminate the state's abundant mineral resources with essential data and analysis on both national and international platforms to attract global companies, experts, and entrepreneurs for mining and investment opportunities in the state. The summit was attended by over 150 participants from Rajasthan and neighboring states. The Mining Engineers Association of Rajasthan-Udaipur Chapter, Udaipur Marble Processors Committee, FMAR, and CDOS provided invaluable support to the event.