IAS Shri Rajat Bansal Spearheads Chhattisgarh’s Mineral Revolution: State Clocks Rs 16,700 Cr Revenue, Achieves 98% Target With 14% YoY Growth

Under CM Vishnu Deo Sai’s Visionary Leadership, The Dynamic IAS Officer With Thousands of Qualities Shri Rajat Bansal Focuses On Scientific Exploration And Sustainable Mining – 40 Projects Launched, 2,800 KM Survey Completed, 65 Blocks Auctioned Worth Rs 4 Lakh Cr

Young, Smart, Reliable, Energetic, Visionary, Devoted, Talented IAS Officer Shri Rajat Bansal Unveils Chhattisgarh’s Complete Mineral Value Chain Vision From Exploration To Recycling

Dynamic IAS officer and Director of Mineral Resources & Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC), Shri Rajat Bansal has said that under the visionary leadership & guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh is focusing on scientific exploration of mineral resources alongside sustainable mining practices to build a future-ready mineral economy.

Sharing the state’s remarkable growth story, Shri Bansal informed that Chhattisgarh received around Rs 16,700 Crore in mineral revenue in the last financial year, which is about 98% of the target, registering a strong 14% year-on-year growth. He recalled that mineral revenue was merely Rs 400 Crore when the state was formed, which stood at around Rs 12,000 Crore two and a half years ago and has now risen to more than Rs 16,000 Crore. Revenue generated from mineral resources is being effectively used for development and public welfare, including projects in mining-affected areas through the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT). Over the past two and a half years alone, 40 exploration projects have been launched and more than 2,800 KM of geological surveys have been completed, while digital reforms like Khanij Online 2.0, DMF 2.0, e-auction and drone surveys have strengthened transparency and accountability.

Director of Mineral Resources & Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) Shri Bansal said Chhattisgarh aims to build a complete mineral value chain within the state, covering exploration, mining, processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling. He said the state’s mineral wealth and emerging potential in critical minerals can attract huge investment, support new industries and create employment opportunities for youth. Elaborating on the potential, he said Chhattisgarh has significant reserves of lithium and rare earth elements (REE) in Katghora and Bastar, graphite, vanadium and gallium in Balrampur, phosphorite in Balod, and nickel, chromium and glauconite in Mahasamund, besides gold, tungsten, copper, lead-zinc and diamonds.

The dynamic IAS officer informed that the eighth installment of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks includes 20 blocks across seven states, including five blocks in Chhattisgarh. He urged investors to actively participate in the auction, describing the blocks as a golden opportunity to develop exploration, processing, value addition, innovation and new industries in the state. He added that the state government is working to create an investment-friendly environment through its new industrial policy and measures to improve ease of doing business, offering incentives including capital investment assistance, stamp duty and electricity duty exemptions, interest subsidies and employment-linked incentives, along with handholding support for environmental, forest and land acquisition approvals.