Noida, Oct 9 (APAC Media): India must move beyond conventional drilling and adopt technology-driven exploration by leveraging information technology, modern geoscience and existing geological data to unlock the country’s mineral potential, Keshav Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, said at the India Mines and Minerals Conclave 2026 in New Delhi.
“We need to actually elevate ourselves from a drilling agency to an agency which utilises its potential in the IT sector, in the new development which is taking place in geoscience, and assimilates all these and then brings in a new regime of exploration altogether,” Chandra said.
Emphasising the need to make better use of existing geological information, he called for innovative exploration methods and the adoption of advanced technologies rather than starting from scratch.
“Now this is high time we have to actually look at innovative methods to make use of that wealth of information. We cannot be starting afresh,” he said, adding that countries making significant progress had leveraged existing resources and new technologies to view mineral potential from a different perspective.
Chandra also highlighted policy reforms aimed at advancing the mining sector and stressed the need to accelerate exploration, strengthen critical mineral capabilities, promote recycling and beneficiation, and adopt modern mining practices.
The ASSOCHAM India Mines & Minerals Conclave 2026 brought together government officials, industry leaders, mining experts and technology providers to discuss ways to strengthen India’s mining ecosystem. Held under the theme “Powering Growth through Smart Technologies, Resource Security & Equipment Innovation,” the event focused on digitalisation, automation, critical mineral security and advanced mining equipment to improve productivity, safety and sustainability.
In a special video message, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said the mining sector was fundamental to India’s economic growth, supplying minerals essential for infrastructure, energy, transport, defence and semiconductors.
“As India moves towards its vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, a strong and secure mineral sector will play an important role in accelerating industrial growth and meeting the growing demand for minerals,” Dubey said.
He called for stronger domestic exploration, processing and recycling capabilities, alongside responsible mining, resource efficiency, resilient supply chains and reduced import dependence.
Kadam Sandeep Vasant, Joint Secretary-cum-Mission Head of the National Critical Mineral Mission, identified raw material availability, technology development and financing as three major challenges facing the sector.
He said India needed to scale up existing technologies from laboratory research to pilot projects and commercial production. He also highlighted the ₹1,500-crore incentive scheme for critical mineral recycling and stressed the importance of building a self-reliant ecosystem for strategic sectors, including electronics, defence, space research and nuclear energy.
Sauvick Mazumder, Chairman of ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Mines & Minerals and Chief Operating Officer–Mining at JSW Ltd., emphasised the need for stronger government-industry collaboration, progressive policies, regulatory clarity and wider adoption of advanced technologies to drive growth in India’s mining sector.
“Mining sector growth depends not only on mineral resource availability but also on technological advancement, commercial viability, clear regulations and effective policy support. Strong collaboration between the government and industry is essential to enhance competitiveness and unlock the sector’s long-term growth potential,” Mazumder said.
-ENDS–
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information. APAC Media is not responsible for investment decisions or losses. Please conduct your own research or consult a financial adviser before investing.
Also Read:
