Another Significant Achievement in the Mining Sector Under the Chief Minister's Leadership
Raipur, July 18, 2026/ Chhattisgarh has taken another important step towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of "Critical Mineral Mission" and "Self-Reliant India". Under the leadership and guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government is continuously taking effective initiatives towards the scientific, sustainable, and value-added use of mineral resources. In this sequence, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed today between Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Limited (CMDC) and Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research, Development & Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur. This agreement was finalized under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chairman of CMDC Shri Saurabh Singh, Secretary of the Department of Mineral Resources Shri P. Dayanand, and Managing Director Shri Rajat Bansal.
The MOU will provide a new direction for scientific research, mining, value addition of mineral resources, and the development of critical minerals. Additionally, it will ensure better utilization of the state's mineral wealth through planned, time-bound, and modern techniques, which will accelerate the overall development of Chhattisgarh. Addressing the MOU exchange program, Chief Guest Shri Pankaj Kulshrestha emphasized the importance of research-based mineral development, innovation, and institutional cooperation, stating that this partnership will prove to be a far-reaching initiative for the mineral sector of the state and the country. Dr. B.L. Gurjar, Controller of Mines, Indian Bureau of Mines, appreciated the better coordination between CMDC and the Department of Mineral Resources, saying that the synergy between the two institutions is giving new momentum to the development of the state's mineral sector. In the program, General Manager of CMDC Shri U.K. Qureshi gave a detailed presentation on the corporation's 25-year development journey, major achievements, ongoing mineral projects, future action plans, and the corporation's successful initiatives as a service provider. He also provided information about the immense potential of mineral resources available in Chhattisgarh and the efforts being made for their scientific and inclusive exploitation. Regional Controller of Mines Shri Prem Prakash appreciated CMDC's tin and corundum projects, stating that these projects have provided employment opportunities to local people and strengthened transparency and statutory processes in the mining sector. Dr. Upendra Singh, Senior Principal Scientist and Head of Department at JNARDDC, informed that the institute is conducting significant research on the recovery of Gallium and Vanadium from red mud and Scandium from by-products of bauxite. He said that such research will play a crucial role in making India self-reliant in the field of critical minerals. The formal exchange of the MOU was done by Shri Pankaj Kulshrestha, Controller General of the Indian Bureau of Mines and Director of JNARDDC, and Shri Sanjay Kanakane, Chief General Manager of CMDC, in the presence of senior officials. At the end of the program, all speakers expressed confidence that this collaboration between CMDC and JNARDDC will give a new direction to mineral research, technological innovation, scientific utilization of resources, and sustainable mining. This is another significant achievement in the mining sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The state government is making the state's natural wealth the basis of development through scientific management of mineral resources, value addition, and the use of modern technologies. This initiative will not only strengthen Prime Minister's Critical Mineral Mission and the resolve for a Self-Reliant India but will also give new momentum to the state's industrial development, employment generation, and economic progress by ensuring the planned utilization of Chhattisgarh's rich mineral wealth. In the program, Chief General Manager of CMDC Shri Sanjay Kanakane delivered the welcome address. He described the MOU as an important initiative towards research, innovation, and sustainable development in the mining sector, stating that this partnership will take the state's mineral development to new heights in the future.