The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) organised a “Mining, Exploration, Convention and Trade Show” (Mining Mazma–2014) during 18-20 September, 2014 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore.
In addition to the policy issues and initiatives in Mineral Exploration and Mine Development, the convention also devoted a session on 18.9.14 to “Mozambique – Investment Opportunities in Mining Sector” as well as another session devoted to “Canada Day” highlighting the advances made by Canada in Ontario and Saskatchewan (major mineral producers of Canada) in the mining technology and exploration sector. The opportunities for collaboration and investments in both Canada and India were also touched upon during this session with a video-message from Mr. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development of Mines, Ontario, Canada. Senior officials from the concerned ministries in the mineral sector from Ontario and Saskatchewan participated in the convention.
During the inaugural session on 18th September, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Mines, Steel and Labour and Employment stressed on the urgency with which his government is evolving new policy guidelines in the mining sector after the turbulent past few years that dented the image of the mining industry in public perception. Mining industry is vital to the economy of the country in addition to providing large employment potential. Transparency and concern for the environment should be built into the mining policies of the country for progressing rapidly. Dr. Anup K. Pujari, Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Mines opined that the well-being of the mining industry is vital to the economic growth of the country and the industry should show case its positive achievements both in public sector and private sector to alter the current public perception. He also exhorted the industry to move vigorously to explore investment opportunities abroad. He also felt that greater corporate social responsibility in mining areas as well as increased efforts in reclamation activities would contribute significantly in the growth of mining sector.
The Geological Society of India supported this Mining Convention of FIMI by organising a Technical Session on the forenoon of 20-9-14, related to advances in mineral exploration technologies including advanced airborne geophysics for mineral discovery, (Craig Anderson of CGG), new portable instrumentation like hand-held XRF in mining sector (Prasanna Krishna, Oxford Instruments Pvt Ltd) as well as the status of Atomic Minerals in India ( V.J. Katti, AMD).
There were also presentations on the Iron ore and Limestone reserves of Karnataka (R.H. Sawkar), on Kimberlite and Diamond Exploration in India (S. Ravi, GSI) and the contribution of mining to sustainable development in India (Sitaram Kemmannu, FIMI-SMI). This session organised by the Geological Society of India was chaired by Shri R.H. Sawkar and Shri A.K. Bhandari, Advisor, FIMI.
In the concluding session on the afternoon of 20-9-2014, Shri Noor Ahmed, President, FIMI and Shri Sanjay Pattnaik, Vice President, FIMI exhorted the industry to follow the ‘best practices’ as advocated by many during the convention and hoped that the new MMDR Bill would be based on progressive policies with transparency as the keystone.
Mineral Resources of the country contribute the true wealth of any country. Responsible mining involves minimum environmental damage and maximum effort in reclamation of mining sites including the social and economic aspects of restoration of mining sites. Mine reclamation should become a specialised discipline in the curricula of earth sciences and mining education. Transparency in granting leases for exploration and mining licenses deserves utmost attention, if the present public perception on the mining industry is to be altered. The Mining Mazma 2014 did succeed in creating a greater awareness in all the stakeholders of the mining industry to strive even more diligently towards their objectives for the long term prospects of the mining industry in India.
