Mines and Steel Additional Chief Secretary RK Sharma urged miners to create more employment opportunity while speaking at the 2nd India Minetech organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) here on Wednesday.
Sharma said direct employment in the mining sector has become stagnant not only in Odisha but all over the country and it is because of gradual shifting towards mechanisation in mining work.
But there are still certain areas like environment protection, conservation of minerals and community participation where miners can create more direct employment opportunities and they should have to work on it, he added.
Sharma also said that time has come to think about the beneficiation of lower grade of minerals along with the use of high grade minerals and for which mining industries and research organisations should come together to find a way for it.
Geological Survey of India Deputy Director LL Viswakarma discussed about the mineral blocks that had already auctioned and about those blocks go to be auctioned very soon. He also talked about the prospects of chromites and other mineral blocks of Odisha.
Kalinga Commercial Corporation Limited Independent Director Dr RC Mohanty, TTC co-founder Ajay Pandey, ICC Odisha State Council Chairman MC Thomas and Co-Chairman JB Pany also spoke.
A report prepared by the ICC along with TTC which highlighted the overview of sustainable mining technology in India was released by the guests.
