The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 14, 2023
“Odisha is committed towards the growth of Mining and Metal Sector by promoting exploration, auctioning more blocks, expediting the operationalisation of these blocks keeping in mind the concept of sustainability in line with the National Mineral Policy of the Nation,” said Odisha Steel & Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick while addressing a conference on “Odisha Metals & Mining Conference 2023”, hosted by ASSOCHAM here on Thursday.
The Minister said that Odisha is historically regarded as one of the key resource-producing states in the nation, with a large mineral reserve base that provides the mineral industry with considerable growth potential. “A paradigm shift is required to move from business as usual to large-scale mining using cutting-edge technical solutions in order to meet the industry needs in the state,” he added.
The conference with the theme “Unleashing potential for sustainable growth”, was held to inspire all stakeholders to transform the nation’s untapped mineral potential in a sustainable way by ensuring their participation to realize “Atma Nirbhar Bharat.”
Speaking at the event, Additional Chief Secretary (Steel & Mines) Deoranjan Kumar Singh said that responsible extraction, sustainable logistics infrastructure, flourishing downstream industries and people are the ingredients of Sustainable growth. The Odisha Government is working in a coordinated manner to explore more and more blocks and auction them, added, while laying emphasis on the importance of sustainability in mining to keep the mineral available for future generations.
Recognizing the environmental challenges associated with mining, Odisha has taken steps to promote sustainable mining practices by enforcing environmental safeguards which ensures responsible mining, thereby minimising ecological impacts, said Odisha State Development Council Chairman PL Mohanty.
ASSOCHAM National Council on Mines & Minerals Member and Tata Steel Mining Ltd Managing Director Pankaj Satija said, “Mining is pivotal for industrial growth and should be done with the objective of resource stewardship, intergenerational equity, improving biodiversity, and water availability and minimizing the negative impact of climate change. By responsibly harnessing Earth’s riches today, we secure a sustainable legacy for future generations, while also forging a path towards a greener, more sustainable future for our planet.”
Jindal Steel & Power Executive Vice President Bibhu Prasad Mishra focused on logistics concerns for resource evacuation for the mineral based industry in Odisha. He also emphasised raw material security and speedy EC/FC clearances for sustainable operation in the state.
In his address, SNM Group Managing Director Prabodh Mohanty hailed that the conference is quite relevant as Odisha is the largest producer of iron ore, coal, bauxite etc; and it will naturally contribute to the industrial development of Odisha and India at large.
