Geological Survey of India Hosts National Conference on Critical Minerals at Jabalpur
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), as part of its 175th Foundation year celebrations, is organising a two-day-long National conference on “Critical minerals: exploration and exploitation” on 7th & 8th August 2025 at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The conference was inaugurated today by Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma, Vice Chancellor, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya and the chief guest of the event, along with Shri Asit Saha, DG, GSI. The event was graced by Shri I. D. Narayan, CMD, Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) and Shri Dheeraj Pande, Director, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) and saw participation of stakeholders, policy makers, IITs/Universities, research institutions and academia.
This conference provided a comprehensive platform for exchange of ideas, experiences and deliberations on the roadmap for the future of critical mineral resource augmentation and utilisation.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Rajesh Kumar Verma, VC, Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, stressed the urgent need to accelerate exploration efforts and reduce import dependency, underscoring the strategic role of critical minerals in achieving India’s clean energy transition and technological self-reliance. He appreciated GSI’s pivotal role in the field of critical mineral exploration and in creating a robust foundation for mineral sector growth.
Shri Asit Saha, DG, GSI, in his address reflected on GSI’s 175-year journey from its early focus on coal exploration to its emergence as a globally recognised institution in diverse geoscientific domains. He highlighted the pivotal role of the National Critical Mineral Mission and stressed the pressing need to secure critical mineral resources vital for technological growth and energy independence. Highlighting intense global competition in this domain, he called for collaborative efforts among GSI, stakeholders, and academia.
Shri I.D. Narayan, CMD, MECL, applauded GSI’s pioneering contributions to critical mineral exploration and mineral block auctioning. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between MECL and GSI in the field of critical mineral exploration, including their joint initiatives in base metal and critical mineral exploration in Zambia and underscored the need for such collaborative efforts to transform geological potential into strategic resources. He outlined the shared vision of achieving mineral self-reliance through innovation, strong partnerships, and focused efforts toward the augmentation of India’s mineral resource base.
Shri Dheeraj Pande, Director, AMD, addressed the conference by highlighting the critical role of atomic and rare earth minerals in ensuring India’s energy security and digital growth. Applauding GSI’s proactive efforts, he called for deeper inter-agency collaboration and strategic alignment to unlock the country’s vast mineral potential.
The event featured technical sessions on diverse geoscientific themes such as geological frameworks, mineral system models, geophysical strategies, innovative exploration tools, sustainable mining practices, policy reform, and critical mineral recycling. Technical papers, posters, and research abstracts were presented and deliberated upon by domain experts, reinforcing the importance of geoscientific innovation in securing India’s resource future.
Day one of the conference served as a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange, fostering dialogue on emerging challenges, innovative approaches, and future directions in critical mineral exploration. It also reflected GSI’s steadfast commitment to advancing geoscientific understanding in alignment with national priorities.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.
