In a bid to attract new investments in mining sector with ample opportunities in the areas of technology adoption, Governor Droupadi Murmu during the inaugural function of a national workshop on ‘Safety Management of Mining Machinery’ on Saturday said, “With coal companies like CCl, BCCl, ECl, Tata Steel, DVC, IISCO-SAIl Mines, mines of NTPC, Hindalco Industries, Jharkhand is a major contributor to coal production in India. The level of technology and mines safety standards in the last few decades has been excellent.”
Congratulating Bhuban-eswar-based Indian Mining & Engineering Journal and its Knowledge Partner AKS University, Satna (MP) for organizing a national workshop here, the Governor said, “Mining of coal and minerals is one of the major contributors to our GDP. Jharkhand is endowed with rich reserves of Coal, Coal-Bed-Methane, Uranium, Bauxite, Copper, Iron ore, Manganese, limestone.”
Naming a few institutions of excellence that are guiding the entire country with their proficiency in Mining Safety, Research and making skilled manpower available, the Governor added, “With a rich mineral base, the State is today poised for overall growth in mining and utilization of minerals in existing and upcoming power, steel, fertilizer, aluminum plants etc. Institutions like Indian School of Mines (IIT-ISM), Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) have made our march to the present level of production and technology input comfortable.” Sharing measures of protecting environment around mining belts, the Governor added, “Mining companies and the State Government have evolved programmes and plans to minimise the environmental damages. A number of initiatives have been taken up by them in close association with CIMFR, IIT-ISM, Pollution Control Boards, R&D cell of Coal companies (including CMPDIl), Department of Atomic Energy, Tata Steel and MECON-SAIl, Aditya Birla Group etc.”
Further stating about the challenges lying ahead, the Governor added, “the majority of mines are in tribal dominated areas and in forests like Saranda in Singhbhum. Several organizations are in the forefront to improve the skill of the young tribal boys and girls, protecting their traditional life style, agriculture methods and bringing them into the mainstream of the modern times. But still, a lot has to be done for the people who are yet to see the light of development. All representatives from different corporate houses here must pay attention towards the development of suppressed class in and around such areas.”
The Governor, on occasion, patted District Mineral Foundation, local area development schemes of Central and State Governments, regulators like DGMS for ensuring safety in mines, introduction of new technologies, training of manpower and introducing schemes like ‘Safety Management Plans’.