GSI Hosts National Meet on Critical Minerals in Jabalpur

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) launched a two-day national conference on “Critical Minerals: Exploration and Exploitation” in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, uniting experts, policymakers, academia, and industry leaders to explore strategies for strengthening India’s mineral self-reliance and ensuring access to vital resources for clean energy and technological advancement.

Highlights:

• Event dates: August 7–8, 2025 at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Part of GSI’s 175th Foundation Year celebrations.
• Opened by Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma, Vice Chancellor of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, alongside Shri Asit Saha, Director General of GSI.
• Attendees included leaders from MECL, AMD, IITs, universities, and research institutions.
• Discussions covered exploration strategies, sustainable mining, policy reforms, and recycling.

As part of its 175th Foundation Year celebrations, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) inaugurated a two-day National Conference on “Critical Minerals: Exploration and Exploitation” on August 7–8, 2025, in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The conference was opened by Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma, Vice Chancellor of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, and Shri Asit Saha, Director General of GSI, in the presence of Shri I.D. Narayan, CMD of MECL, and Shri Dheeraj Pande, Director of AMD.

Prof. Verma stressed the need to speed up exploration efforts to cut import dependence and underlined the vital role of critical minerals in supporting India’s clean energy shift and technological independence. He praised GSI for laying a solid groundwork for the growth of the country’s mineral sector.

Shri Asit Saha reflected on GSI’s 175-year evolution from coal exploration to a globally respected geoscientific institution. He underscored the importance of the National Critical Mineral Mission in ensuring access to resources vital for technology and energy independence, calling for greater collaboration between GSI, stakeholders, and academia.

Shri I.D. Narayan lauded GSI’s pioneering work in mineral exploration and auctioning. He cited joint initiatives with GSI in Zambia’s base metal and critical mineral sectors as examples of successful collaboration, stressing innovation and partnerships to achieve mineral self-reliance.

Shri Dheeraj Pande highlighted the strategic role of atomic and rare earth minerals in energy security and digital growth, urging deeper inter-agency collaboration to tap into India’s untapped mineral wealth.

The conference featured technical sessions on geological frameworks, mineral system models, geophysical strategies, innovative exploration tools, sustainable mining, policy reforms, and critical mineral recycling. Domain experts presented research papers, posters, and technical abstracts, fostering a rich exchange of ideas.

Day one concluded with discussions on emerging challenges, innovative solutions, and the future of critical mineral exploration, reaffirming GSI’s commitment to advancing geoscientific research aligned with national priorities.