Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick on Wednesday said the State Government invited participation of all the stakeholders for addressing challenges being faced by industries and restoration of normal operations in the mining sector.
Addressing a ASSOCHAM conference, the Minister further stated that the Government is also focusing on increased exploration to enhance resource base, which would also help in offering new blocks to miners.
“Odisha is giving more focus on supply of ores and minerals and promotion of downstream manufacturing for optimum utilisation of resources. This will help boost industrial investment and create employment opportunities in the State,” he said, adding that the State received investment commitments of approximately Rs 2,36,000 crore from minerals, metals and downstream companies in the Make in Odisha conclave.
The major investment commitments include Rs 41,000 crore for expansion of the SAIL’s Rourkela Steel Plant and Rs 38,000 crore from the Nalco, he said.
Talking about the need to emphasise more responsible mining, the Minister said that effective regulation and implementation of current laws is a prerequisite for being able to continue mining of even most essential minerals.
He suggested that in order to optimize risk-reward equations and achieve economies of scale, the mining companies should forge alliances with infrastructure players, technology and equipment suppliers and financiers in innovative ways, including the PPP model.
Prafulla Kumar Malik, Minister, Department of Steel, Mines & Work, Government of Odisha addressing the Conference
He further added that as DMFs have been set up at the district level as per the provision of the Odisha Mineral Foundation Act, 2015 for the benefit of the mining affected people of the area.Under which Total DMF collections in various districts in 2015-16 was Rs 395.38 crore, in 2016-17, Rs 2109.89 crore and in 2017-18, Rs 1,670.31 crore.
Other speakers V Balasubramanyam, Director (Production), Nalco and BP Mishra, Member, ASSOCHAM National Council on Mines and Minerals & AVP, Mines & Minerals, JSPL highlighted various issues faced by the industry in the state and areas of government intervention for bringing the normalcy of mining operation in the state.