Emphasis on sustainable mining at NE conclave

Coal and Mines minister G Kishan Reddy Friday emphasised on Centre-state synergy to drive investments and innovation while ensuring sustainable mining.
Inaugurating the second North East Mining Ministers’ Conclave at Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, he posted on X: “The Conclave marks a key step towards sustainable mining, ease of doing business, and enhancing centre-state synergy.”
“It is expected to catalyse future investments, innovation, and inclusive growth in the North Eastern Region,” Reddy added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, also present on the occasion, outlined the state’s focus on the mining sector along with sustainability and principle of circular economy.
“The North East region holds immense potential in the mining sector with abundant availability of natural resources. At the 2nd Northeast Mining Ministers’ Conclave, an excellent platform to deliberate on the future of mining in the region, balancing with environmental needs, Ministers from all NE states and industry stakeholders have converged to chart a new way,” Sarma said in a post on the micro-blogging site.
“The focus is on sustainability and zero waste mining aligning with the principle of circular economy, as envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji on development aligned with the environment,” he added.
Sarma said that Assam has recently seen over Rs 46,000 crore of commitment in this sector and a State Mineral Exploration Trust to boost minor mineral exploration has been approved.
“We are also opening up the sector and bringing in required reforms to sustainably exploit the opportunities that lie in the region,” he added.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), sharing details of Sarma’s speech, posted on X that the Assam Mineral Policy is currently in its final stages and may be introduced within the coming month.
He outlined key steps to unlock Assam’s mining potential, emphasising on boosting investments, signing MoUs, initiating community projects and advancing rare earth exploration across the state, the CMO added. Union MoS for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, among others, also attended the opening of the two-day meet.