At the backdrop of Centre clarifying that mining is not a polluting industry and NITI Aayog suggesting a set of policy push and reforms, the representatives of the mining industry has urged the Government to adopt investor friendly approach for furthering the development of mineral sector.
It said the mining and mineral industry could potentially grow three-fold by 2025 and can enable companies to set up value addition facilities to substitute imports and also generate huge employment in future. Echoing the industry's view, Pradeep Koneru, Managing Director, of Trimex Sands Pvt. ltd said that a series of reforms are needed to help the industry grow to its full potential.
"Among others, this capital intensive industry should be given all support and speedy clearances and approvals that would allow companies to make further required investments in equipment, technology and other requisite resources, to ensure global competitiveness and ensure market leadership of India as a heavy minerals provider," Koneru told The Pioneer.
In present circumstances, the "Heavy Mineral Mining" that comes under the management of both the state and Central Government, on an average requires clearances from 15 different regulatory bodies, including the Coastal Regulatory Zone Authority (CRZA) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which on an average takes 10-12 years to start a company. As of now, there are only four or five odd players in ilmenite mining.
Early this month, Steel and Mine Secretary Aruna Sharma had emphasized that mining is not a polluting industry, and on the contrary, it has been instrumental in ecological reconstruction after mining operations are completed. She emphasized on developing synergies of the mining sector with its allied industries while speaking at the 4th National Conclave on Mines & Minerals on July 13, 2018 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
CEO NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant had ascribed key importance to the success of Mines in India for achieving Make in India version of the Prime Minister. He underlined the importance of the Mining Sector for the growth of the allied sector and for enabling sufficient job creation for our country to reap the demographic dividend.
India has about 20 percent of global reserves of sand minerals, but despite having been opened to the private sector for the last two decades, the production to reserve ratio has been woefully low at 0.002. India produces about 9 percent of the world's total Ilmenite production.
"We are equipped with raw materials to support the vision of the Prime Minister's 'Make in India' initiative with the motto of 'Zero Effect' on the environment and society, along with 'Zero Defect' manufacturing sector. We believe that we must mine in India to Make in India and for that mineral sand mining industry should get encouragement from the Government," said Koneru.