Chhattisgarh plans complete mineral value chain within state: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Chhattisgarh aims to build a complete mineral value chain within the state, covering exploration, mining, processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Monday. Addressing a roadshow for the eighth tranche of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, Sai said the state’s mineral wealth and potential in critical minerals could attract investment, support new industries and create employment opportunities.

The eighth tranche includes 20 mineral blocks across seven states, including five in Chhattisgarh. Sai urged investors to participate in the auction and explore opportunities in processing, value addition, innovation and downstream industries.

He said Chhattisgarh has potential for lithium and rare earth elements in Katghora and Bastar, graphite, vanadium and gallium in Balrampur, phosphorite in Balod, and nickel, chromium and glauconite in Mahasamund. Sai said the state’s mineral revenue, which was around Rs 400 crore when Chhattisgarh was formed, has now risen to more than Rs 16,000 crore.

The revenue is being used for development and public welfare, including projects in mining-affected areas. The chief minister also launched the E-Ret Sangwari and Tin Portal. The E-Ret Sangwari portal will facilitate the supply of sand at concessional rates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while the Tin Portal aims to ensure fair prices and greater transparency for tribal communities associated with tin in Dantewada.

He said the state government was working to create an investment-friendly environment through its industrial policy, offering incentives such as capital investment assistance, stamp duty and electricity duty exemptions, interest subsidies and employment-linked incentives.

Mineral Resources Secretary P Dayanand said the state was strengthening scientific exploration, geological data collection, mapping and transparent auction systems to promote mineral-based industries, local employment and value addition.

Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Managing Director Rajat Bansal said 65 mineral blocks had so far been auctioned in the state, with potential revenue estimated at around Rs 4 lakh crore. He said 40 exploration projects had been launched and more than 2,800 km of geological surveys completed over the past two and a half years.

Two MoUs were also signed during the programme, including one between Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation and Indian Overseas Bank for financial cooperation, and another with Pt Ravishankar Shukla University for training in corundum cutting and polishing.