Ministry of Mines Hosts Granite & Marble Mining Workshop in Bengaluru

The Ministry of Mines recently organized a workshop in Bengaluru that focused on the granite and marble mining sector. The event brought together key figures such as Shri V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, and Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner of Karnataka, to discuss significant initiatives and reforms aimed at enhancing the industry.

Shri V.L. Kantha Rao emphasized the various initiatives undertaken by the Indian government to streamline and reform the mining sector. He urged state governments to implement similar reforms in the minor minerals sector to improve efficiency and transparency. Rao highlighted the National Geo-Data Repository (NGDR) Portal, which provides comprehensive data and information on mineral exploration. This portal, an initiative driven by data collected from central agencies, aims to improve transparency and efficiency by making exploration data accessible to all stakeholders.

In her keynote address, Dr. Shalini Rajneesh stressed the importance of collaboration between the government and industry to address administrative, technological, and other sectoral issues. She underscored that any economic activity, including mining, must be sustainable and welcomed innovative contributions from startups to tackle the challenges in the industry. Dr. Shalini also highlighted the importance of leveraging IT platforms to manage critical aspects of the mining sector, ensuring transparency and reducing grievances. This approach aligns with the government’s broader push towards digital transformation in various sectors.