Sustainable mining can bring prosperity to Odisha and India, as in Australia and Canada, because it has the potential to provide employment and can play a huge role in alleviating poverty, said Nalco CMD Dr Tapan Kumar Chand, at the Sustainable Mining Summit held here on Friday, organised under the aegis of Federation of Indian Mineral industries (FIMI).
Corporate stalwarts, policy-makers and leaders of the mining industry gathered in large numbers to deliberate and strategise on the way forward to ensure an environment which promotes and encourages sustainable mining.
Dr Chand said, “The perception of people towards mining can change if mining industry becomes a major employer, increase purchasing power and promote green mining.
For this, awareness campaigns also need to be carried out as mining can transform lives and communities.’’
The contribution of mining to the GDP is around 2.4 per cent, which is set to increase to 5 per cent in the next 10 years. This will create more opportunities for the sector and will play a crucial role in development and progress of the society, he added. Secretary, Industries Sanjeev Chopra, , Senior Vice-President, FIMI Rl Mohanty, Secretary General, FIMI RK Sharma, MD, Tata Sponge and President of FIMI Sanjay Pattnaik were present.