The CM added that the region could make a major contribution to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’.
“A new mining ecosystem is taking shape in Gadchiroli and development of clean, green steel is a new phase,” he said. Nagpur: Vidarbha has potential to become a major engine of India’s economic growth through mining and emerge as a hub for green steel, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, citing large mineral reserves, proposed investments and new industrial activity in the region.
Referring to Vidarbha’s mineral resources, particularly iron ore reserves of Gadchiroli, Fadnavis said investments of about Rs 5 lakh crore and steel-making capacity of nearly 50 million tonne per annum were being developed in the area.
“Four of the first eight coal-gasification projects proposed under a new national mission had come to Vidarbha.,” he said. Fadnavis said Gadchiroli, along with Chandrapur, Bhandara, Nagpur, Gondia and Yavatmal, could see development of a new industrial ecosystem. Institution of Engineers (India) president Manish Kothari said such conventions provide a platform for knowledge exchange and professional interaction.
A message from Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy was read out at the event.
The CM also said mining sector would contribute $500 billion to the Indian economy over the next 20 years. WCL, he said, had identified 18 critical minerals and rare-earth elements across 12 mines and was diversifying beyond coal into exploration and processing of critical minerals.
Chairperson of Mining Engineering Division Board of The Institution of Engineers (India) Suresh Chandra Suman said minerals are fundamental to modern industry, infrastructure and economic development. “Artificial intelligence, automation, drones, sensors and real-time mine monitoring can make mining more efficient, safe and sustainable,” he said. WCL CMD Hemant Pande said the convention was organised with the objective of developing Nagpur as the country’s “mining capital”. Convention organising committee chairperson Sandeep Shirkhedkar said more discussion was needed on critical minerals, new technologies and mine closure. “The Institution of Engineers (India) has a network of more than 4,000 mining engineers across the country, including about 300 in Nagpur,” Shirkhedkar said.
The organisation also offered support to Maharashtra govt and WCL in mining-development initiatives.