New Delhi: A workshop on the prospects of offshore mining in India was held in New Delhi Wednesday, a mines ministry press statement said. The event also provided an opportunity to review the draft rules for a proposed auction of offshore minerals.
The workshop was attended by Secretary of Ministry of Mines V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences M. Ravichandran, and Additional Secretary of Ministry of Mines Sanjay Lohiya. Representatives from other government departments, state governments, PSUs, mining companies, potential bidders, and industry associations also participated in the workshop.
The mines ministry has planned to facilitate the funding of the projects through various strategic initiatives. The government will also provide incentives to start-ups and private companies for work on the development of offshore mining technology in India.
At the workshop, Ravichandran emphasised the importance of sustainable and environment-friendly offshore mining development in India. He also welcomed suggestions and feedback from industry stakeholders for the development of the offshore mining sector in the country.
The mines ministry has also informed that some offshore mineral blocks in the exclusive economic zone of India for mining lime mud, polymetallic nodules containing critical minerals like cobalt and nickel, and construction sand will be put up for auction soon. The government expects the auction process will start soon after the preparation of the draft rules.
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