“We Will Use Mineral Wealth Responsibly to Make CG a Growth Engine for India’s Development”: CM Shri Sai

High-Level Review of Mining and Coal Sectors Held in the Presence of Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai

Economic Empowerment of Local Tribal Communities and Employment Generation Are Top Priorities alongside Mineral Resource Development: Chief Minister Shri Sai

Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy Praises TIN Portal Developed to Secure Better Prices for Bastar’s Tribal Tin Collectors

Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy Appreciates Chhattisgarh Government’s Innovations and Technology-Based Mining Reforms

Union Minister Commends Khanij Online 2.0, Drone-Based Monitoring, Star Ratings and Efforts to Increase Revenue

Tribal Tin Collectors Receive Payments through DBT; Mineral Resources Strengthen Local Livelihoods

Ensure Maximum Utilisation of DMF Funds for Overall Development of Mining-Affected Areas: Union Minister Shri Reddy

Special Relaxations in DMF Fund Utilisation for Previously Naxal-Affected Districts Must Benefit Local Communities

Accelerate Exploration for New Mineral Deposits and Make Full Use of Central Government Funding

Directions Issued for Scientific Mine Closure and Action Plans for Productive Reuse of Land

Special Emphasis on Critical Mineral Exploration, Early Operationalisation of Mineral Blocks and Increased Domestic Production

Chhattisgarh Earns Rs. 16,738 Crore in Mineral Revenue in Financial Year 2025–26

Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the high-level review meeting on the mining and coal sectors at CM residential office in Raipur on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed mineral exploration, auctions of mineral blocks, coal production, development of critical and strategic minerals, utilisation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds and the adoption of modern technology in mining activities.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Shri Sai said Chhattisgarh is rich in mineral wealth, and its resources play an important role in the country’s industrial and economic development. The State Government is committed to coordinating with the Central Government to ensure their appropriate, scientific and responsible use. He said the benefits of mineral wealth must extend beyond industrial development and reach local people directly, particularly mining-affected and tribal communities. The government is making continuous efforts to establish Chhattisgarh as a major growth engine for the country through better mineral resource management, investment, employment generation, and inclusive development.

The Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh has an important role in realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s resolve for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Mineral exploration and utilisation must meet the country’s growing industrial and economic requirements, and the State Government is working with the Centre towards this objective. Alongside expanding mining activities, the State is prioritising environmental conservation, local needs, employment opportunities, and the interests of affected communities. Development will fulfil its true purpose only when the economic benefits of mineral wealth reach those affected by mining.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said the State Government is consistently working to ensure transparency in mineral administration, make greater use of technology and support the overall development of mining-affected areas. Khanij Online 2.0, digital monitoring systems and modern technologies such as drones are making mining surveillance more effective. Initiatives such as the TIN portal have been introduced to secure better prices for tin ore collected by Bastar’s tribal communities and ensure transparent payments. The aim is to make the state’s mineral wealth a foundation for local communities’ economic self-reliance and new livelihood opportunities.

Union Minister Shri Reddy Praises Chhattisgarh’s Mining Innovations and Technological Reforms

Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy praised the Chhattisgarh Government’s innovations, revenue growth and technology-based administrative reforms in the mining sector. He said the State Government is doing commendable work across various sectors and that he appreciates its efforts wherever he travels in the country.

He said Chhattisgarh has taken important steps towards better mineral resource management, transparency and the use of information technology. He particularly praised the Khanij Online 2.0 portal, drone-based monitoring, star ratings for mining activities and digital surveillance systems. He described the government’s efforts to increase mineral revenue and improve administrative efficiency in mining as commendable.

The Union Minister also specifically praised the TIN portal, developed to ensure transparent procurement of tin ore from Bastar’s tribal communities and secure better prices for them. He said the state’s efforts to bring the benefits of mineral resources to local people and improve transparency through technology are important. He emphasised the need to carry these initiatives forward more effectively.

Maximise DMF Fund Utilisation for Overall Development of Mining-Affected Areas: Shri Reddy

The Union Minister placed particular emphasis on the effective utilisation of District Mineral Foundation funds. He said DMF’s principal objective is to improve the living standards of people in mining-affected areas and neighbouring localities. These funds should be used to the fullest extent for education, healthcare, drinking water, livelihoods, infrastructure and other basic facilities in affected areas.

Shri Reddy said special relaxations under the rules governing DMF fund utilisation have been provided to Chhattisgarh’s previously Naxal-affected districts. The districts concerned should make full use of these provisions in accordance with the rules to accelerate development works suited to local communities’ needs. Resources generated through mining should support the overall development of affected areas and bring positive changes to people’s lives.

Accelerate Mineral Exploration and Make Full Use of Central Funding

Shri Reddy highlighted the need to accelerate the discovery of new mineral deposits and exploration activities in the state. Keeping the country’s future requirements in view, special attention should be paid to critical and strategic minerals alongside conventional minerals. He called for maximum utilisation of the funding and resources made available by the Central Government.

He said modern scientific technologies should be used to identify prospective mineral-bearing areas and expedite their development. Statutory clearances and procedures required to bring auctioned mineral blocks into operation should also be accelerated.

Ensure Scientific Closure of Mines after Mining Is Completed

The Union Minister emphasised that mine closure activities must be conducted scientifically and systematically. Mines where extraction has been completed should be closed in accordance with prescribed scientific standards. A specific action plan should also be prepared for the productive reuse of mined land.

He said particular attention must be paid to ecological balance, land restoration and local communities’ interests during mining and after closure. Mining activities should expand in line with national requirements, with all work undertaken scientifically and responsibly.

Shri Reddy said increasing domestic production is essential to meet the country’s growing requirement for important minerals. He emphasised mineral exploration, production and value addition within the country to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on imports.

Chhattisgarh Records Strong Mineral Revenue of Rs. 16,738 Crore in 2025–26

The Directorate of Geology and Mining, in coordination with the Mineral Resources Department, made a detailed presentation at the meeting. It stated that Chhattisgarh earned Rs. 16,738 crore in mineral revenue during the financial year 2025–26. Production of coal, iron ore, limestone and tin has continued to increase in the state.

The presentation outlined progress in auctions of mineral blocks, including lithium and tin blocks, the operational status of allotted mines and efforts to develop new mineral resources.

Special Focus on Critical Minerals, Including Lithium, Graphite and Rare Earth Elements

The meeting discussed in detail the development of potential critical and strategic mineral resources in Chhattisgarh. These include lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, vanadium, gallium, phosphorite and tin.

Shri Reddy said exploration and domestic production of these minerals must increase to meet growing industrial requirements and support the goal of a self-reliant India. He emphasised developing mineral-based industries and promoting domestic value addition.

Coal Production and Early Operationalisation of Pending Mineral Blocks Reviewed

The meeting reviewed operational and non-operational coal blocks in the state, statutory clearances, production capacity and operational challenges. Shri Reddy emphasised increasing coal production, developing essential infrastructure for mining projects and improving coordination among departments and agencies.

The team also held a review meeting with South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited. Discussions covered coal production, operational performance, matters pending at the district level and difficulties in mine operations. Collectors of the districts concerned participated through video conferencing.

Digital Technology to Improve Transparency and Monitoring of Illegal Mining

The meeting reviewed the State Government’s technology-based initiatives to improve transparency and administrative efficiency in the mineral sector. The presentation highlighted Khanij Online 2.0, DMF Portal 2.0, drone-based surveillance and the use of artificial intelligence and digital technology to monitor mineral transportation.

Initiatives such as star ratings for mining activities are also important in making monitoring more effective. These measures aim to simplify regulatory processes, strengthen monitoring and effectively control illegal mining and illegal mineral transportation.

TIN Portal Ensures Better Prices and Transparent Payments for Bastar’s Tribal Tin Collectors

The meeting was briefed on the State Government’s TIN portal, which aims to increase the economic benefits and livelihood opportunities that Bastar’s tribal communities derive from mineral resources. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai launched the TIN—Tribal Incentives on Natural Resources—portal on 31 August 2026. Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Limited developed it in collaboration with Indian Overseas Bank.

The portal digitises the entire process of procurement, transportation, sale, pricing, and payment for tin ore collected by tribal communities in Bastar division, making it transparent. It links pricing to the London Metal Exchange (LME), enabling collectors to receive transparent prices aligned with market conditions. Payments are transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

In financial year 2024–25, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation paid approximately Rs. 90.82 lakh for the procurement of more than 8,707 kilograms of tin ore. In financial year 2025–26, it paid approximately Rs. 3 crore 81 lakh for more than 20,895 kilograms. Payments to tribal collectors for tin ore procurement thus increased more than fourfold in one year.

Tin ore is currently being procured from tribal beneficiaries through six purchase centres in Bastar division: Bacheli, Katekalyan and Chikpal in Dantewada district, and Tongpal, Nama and Chintalnar in Sukma district. Three additional purchase centres are being established. The portal also offers digital registration, QR code-based verification, SMS alerts and real-time monitoring.

The meeting also noted initiatives to develop columbite resources in Bastar. These efforts aim to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local tribal communities through responsible mineral resource development.

The Central and State Governments reiterated their commitment to working in coordination to develop the mining and coal sectors, explore critical minerals, attract investment, increase employment opportunities and ensure inclusive development in mining-affected areas.

Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Kumar Pingua, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Coal India Limited Chairman and Managing Director Shri B. Sairam, SECL Chairman and Managing Director Shri Harish Duhan, and senior Central and State Government officials attended the meeting.