In an exclusive interview with the incumbent Regional Controller of Mines,Bhubaneswar-India Bureau of Mines Shri B.L.Gurjar who has vast experience in mining growth & its excavation has spoken wide-range of issues relating to the advanced facilities of mining excavation and its future with the Group Editor Dibyajit Sahu.
Mr Gurjar Ji, How have been your engagements in understanding the mining conditions & standards of Odisha-based Mines since you’re joining as the Regional Controller of Mines of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Odisha?
Odisha is one of the rich mineral-bearing states in India, having essential minerals of Bauxite, Iron ore, chromite & manganese. Odisha was the first to implement a mining policy of auctioning of mineral concessions. So far, 38 Mineral blocks have been auctioned in the green field and in the brownfield. Mining operators have bid even beyond 100% revenue sharing with the state. Bid beyond 100% is a matter of concern for all regulatory authorities. The mining operator has to adopt new technologies for excavation, transportation, and mineral beneficiation to reduce production costs and sustain in the long run.
What are the key areas you have planned for immediate revamps & improvements for the quality growth of mining excavations?
IBM is a regulatory authority and it has to monitor the proper development of mineral resources for sustainable mining and take appropriate measures for conservation of minerals by utilizing low-grade mineral resources and undertaking preventive measures for protecting the environment in and around the mining area.
Since you are an authority in mining, what’s your vision for making Odisha a professionally managed state for Mines & its mining.
As already said, some mining operators who do not have end-use plants also bid with higher premiums just to get the mineral concession. Such an unsustainable level of bidding needs to be monitored and regulated. At the same time, there is a need to spend the DMF (District Mineral Foundation) funds as per the PMKKKY (Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana) guidelines for people affected by the mining and allied activities in and around the mining area.
Can you please share your thoughts on how technology has changed the mode of mining over the years?
Definitely, the use of information technology and Geological Information System (GIS) for Estimation of the mineral deposit, mine planning and optimization of mining operations are great to help increase the efficiency and productivity of mine with the miner’s safety. At the same time use of pipelines for transportation of minerals from the mining side to end-use plants reduces cost and environmental hazards.
What’s your opinion in ensuring a robust coordination amongst the government to Miners to Central agencies for the smooth run of the Mines & its policies?
Ans- Coordination between various mining departments of the Centre, IBM (Indian Bureau of Mines), GSI (Geological Survey of India), MECL (Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited) and state directorates of mining & geology are most important for the smooth functioning of mining industries so that contribution of mining & minerals to our GDP is increased two-fold within 2-3 years and more number of mineral blocks are brought to auctions.
