GSI DG Asit Saha Urges Adoption of Technologies to Unlock India's Untapped Mineral Potential

During a national conference on critical minerals, Geological Survey of India (GSI) Director General Asit Saha emphasised the importance of adopting a circular economy and advanced technologies to access untapped mineral resources. He highlighted the necessity of securing critical minerals for technological advancement and energy independence. Saha spoke at the event, part of GSI's 175th anniversary celebrations, stressing global competition for technological growth.

He called for collaboration among GSI, stakeholders, and academia to support India's clean energy goals and economic resilience. "GSI is committed to supporting India's clean energy goals and economic resilience through innovation, collaboration, and a forward-looking geoscientific approach," he stated. Saha also reflected on GSI's evolution from coal exploration to a globally recognised institution in diverse geoscientific fields.

Collaboration and Innovation in Mineral Exploration

Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) CMD ID Narayan praised GSI's pioneering work in critical mineral exploration and mineral block auctions. He noted the collaborative efforts between MECL and GSI in exploring base metals and critical minerals in Zambia. Narayan emphasised the need for such partnerships to transform geological potential into strategic resources.

He outlined a shared vision of achieving mineral self-reliance through innovation, strong partnerships, and focused efforts on enhancing India's mineral resource base. This collaboration aims to bolster India's position in the global mineral sector by leveraging joint initiatives and expertise.

Strategic Role of Critical Minerals

Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) Director Dheeraj Pande highlighted the significance of atomic and rare earth minerals in ensuring India's energy security and digital growth. He praised GSI's proactive efforts and called for deeper inter-agency collaboration to unlock India's vast mineral potential, thereby strengthening self-reliance.

Jabapur-based Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya's Vice Chancellor Rajesh Kumar Verma, the conference's chief guest, stressed the urgent need to accelerate exploration efforts and reduce import dependency. He underscored the strategic role of critical minerals in achieving India's clean energy transition and technological self-reliance.

Conference Highlights

The conference featured technical sessions on various geoscientific themes such as geological frameworks, mineral system models, geophysical strategies, innovative exploration tools, sustainable mining practices, policy reform, and critical mineral recycling. Experts presented technical papers, posters, and research abstracts, highlighting the importance of geoscientific innovation in securing India's resource future.

The first day of the conference served as a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange, fostering dialogue on emerging challenges, innovative approaches, and future directions in critical mineral exploration. It also reflected GSI's steadfast commitment to advancing geoscientific understanding in alignment with national priorities.

The discussions at the conference reinforced the need for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to harness India's mineral potential effectively. By focusing on innovation and strategic partnerships, India aims to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals essential for its technological growth and energy independence.

With inputs from PTI