An International Seminar on Developments in Mineral Exploration Techniques: Strategy and Challenges was inaugurated here on Saturday by Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) Sisir Chandra Rath in the presence of State Steel and Mines Secretary G Srinivasan and Trade Commissioner for the Australia Trade Commission (Austrade) Tom Calder.
Organised by the Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT), the inaugural session of the two-day event included delegates from the industry from India and abroad and representatives from other stakeholders.
SGAT’s president Dr SK Sarangi, in his welcome address, urged the Government to pay attention to the difficulties being faced by the industry. He pointed out that the SGAT’s suggestions to the Government in the shape of a Vision 2020 document and other proposals should be
acted upon.
Dr Sarangi also urged the GSI Director General to organise training and sensitisation programmes for stakeholders and Government functionaries. Tom Calder reiterated the commitment of Austrade to the industry in India in general and to Odisha in particular.
Srinivasan welcomed the initiative of the SGAT in holding the seminar and requested the representatives of the industry to use the opportunity to exploit the rich mineral wealth of the State and assured them of all possible support by the Government.
GSI DG Rath spoke of the roles and achievements of the 162-year-old GSI. He said that in spite of laudable achievements in several fields, there remain vast areas of the country to be explored and provided region-wise details of the exploration plans.
He revealed that the exploration of the mineral wealth under the sea would get extra boost with the induction of the most technologically advanced survey ship Samudra Ratnkar in October this year. Even the areas under both the poles of the globe are on the radar of the organisation, he added.
The vote of thanks was delivered by SGAT general secretary BC Patnaik.