THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MARCH 13, 2026
Policy reforms,
sustainable mining practices and a strategic focus on critical minerals will
play a decisive role in ensuring India’s long-term mineral security and
supporting its economic ambitions, said Arun Kumar, Regional Controller of
Mines at the Indian Bureau of Mines, while addressing the India Mines &
Minerals Conclave 2026 organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and
Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in Bhubaneswar.
The conclave, held at
Swosti Premium, was organised on the theme “Shaping Transformation Through
Policy Reforms, Sustainability & Strategic Security” and brought together
policymakers, industry leaders, regulators and technology innovators to
deliberate on the future of India’s mining and minerals sector.
Addressing the
conclave as Chief Guest, Arun Kumar said India’s aspiration of becoming a $5
trillion economy will significantly increase the demand for minerals,
especially critical minerals required for clean energy and industrial growth.
He noted that the government has undertaken several reforms to accelerate
growth in the mining sector, marking a clear shift from regulation to
facilitation. “Government priorities today lie at the intersection of economic
growth, environmental sustainability and strategic security of critical
minerals,” he said.
Kumar emphasised that
as the world rapidly transitions towards green energy, minerals such as
lithium, cobalt and nickel are becoming strategically vital for nations. India
is therefore strengthening domestic exploration, securing supply chains and
encouraging value addition within the country.
Highlighting future
demand, he said achieving the steel production targets under the 2030 mission
would require 400–450 million tonnes of iron ore, making it necessary to
accelerate mine auctions and operationalisation of mineral blocks. “To achieve
the vision of Viksit Bharat, reforms in the mining sector must move at a much
faster pace,” he added.
Delivering the
welcome address, Prabodh Mohanty, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM Odisha State
Development Council and Chairman of SNM Group, said, “Odisha remains one of the
country’s most significant mining and mineral hubs. He noted that the state has
generated nearly ₹1.5
lakh crore in mining revenue over the past decade, contributing substantially
to India’s economic development. Odisha today accounts for around 25 percent of
India’s
steel production, reinforcing its position as the steel capital of India.”
Mohanty also
highlighted the state government’s focus on strengthening logistics and
connectivity while accelerating exploration and auctioning of critical
minerals. These minerals are essential for emerging sectors such as electric
vehicles, semiconductors, defence and aerospace. Odisha, he said, has the
potential to play a key role in minerals like lithium and cobalt, helping India
reduce import dependence.
In his industry
address, Prasanna Kumar Panda, Member of the ASSOCHAM Odisha State Development
Council on Mines and Minerals and Business Head (Odisha Business) at JSW Steel,
highlighted various aspects of the National Critical Mineral Mission. He
pointed out that several minerals previously under the Department of Atomic
Energy have now been deregulated to promote exploration. Many critical minerals
are found in coastal states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Panda also noted that
the government has eased certain regulatory requirements, including exemptions
from public hearing in specific cases, to promote exploration and development
of critical minerals. He added that policy reforms for minerals such as nickel
and copper are aimed at making the sector more accessible for private
investment and accelerating domestic production, including lithium, to enhance
India’s self-reliance.
Speaking on industry
challenges, Manish Singla, Head – Mineral Auction, Strategy, Mergers and
Acquisitions at Jindal Steel & Power, said that while steel production and
consumption are growing steadily, the supply of iron ore — the key raw material
for steelmaking — remains inadequate. Despite having abundant reserves, India
imported 10–12 million tonnes of iron ore last year, he noted.
Singla highlighted
that Odisha aims to increase its steel production capacity to 100 million
tonnes per annum by 2030, from the current 42–45 million tonnes. Achieving this
target will require a proportional increase in iron ore production and supply.
He also pointed out that the premium paid by mining operators for mineral
blocks in Odisha has been rising sharply, and urged the government to bring
more mineral blocks to auction to meet the raw material requirements of steel,
pellet and sponge iron plants in the state.
During the conclave,
ASSOCHAM also released a Knowledge Report on the mining and minerals sector.
The conclave featured three substantive panel discussions focusing on policy,
strategic minerals and technological transformation in mining.
The discussions covered reforms in mining laws, auction frameworks and clearance mechanisms, India’s strategic approach to critical minerals, and the role of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, drones and digital mine planning in improving productivity, safety and sustainability in the mining sector.
The conclave underscored the importance of policy reforms, sustainable resource management and technological innovation in ensuring India’s long-term mineral security while strengthening the country’s industrial growth trajectory.
