3rd National Mining Ministers Conference in Konark, Odisha

The third National Mining Ministers Conference concluded in Konark, Odisha on 21 January 2025 with a focus on critical minerals mining. Rajasthan won the award for outstanding contribution in conducting the highest number of auctions in 2023-24.  

The main aim of the Conference was to bring together the central government, state government, and the industry related to the mining sector to discuss ways to make India self-sufficient in the mineral sector, especially critical minerals, and promote sustainable mining in the country.

The first National Mining Ministers Conference was held in Hyderabad, Telangana in September 2022, and the 2nd National Mining Ministers Conference was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in January 2024.

Organiser of the 3rd National Mining Ministers Conference

The National Mining Ministers Conference was organised by the Union Ministry of Mines in collaboration with the Odisha state government. It was held in Konark, Odisha on 20 & 21 January 2025.

Who Inaugurated the 3rd National Mining Ministers Conference?

• The 3rd National Mining Ministers Conference was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy.
• The Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was the Chief Guest of the Conference.

Participants of the 3rd National Mining Ministers Conference

The Conference was attended by ministers of eleven states, Principal Secretaries/ Special Secretaries (Mines), and the Directorate General of Mines Safety of these states along with the officials of the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Coal, and Ministry of Steel.  Chairman cum managing director of the central public sector enterprises under the Union Ministry of Mines  Coal and Steel and private sector companies.

Award for Rajasthan 

• During the Conference, Rajasthan secured the first position amongst the states for their outstanding contribution in conducting the highest number of auctions in FY 2023-24.  
• Madhya Pradesh was in the second position and  Maharashtra at the third position.

Other Notable Highlights of the Conference 

• During the conference, G. Kishan Reddy and  Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Fifth Tranche offering 15 critical mineral blocks located across 8 states.
• A  total of 19 Geological Memorandums were signed during the  Conference. 
• 12 critical mineral memorandums were handed over to the central government and the remaining 7 memorandums, covering precious, bulk, and base metal commodities, were handed over to the respective State Governments. 

Read about Critical Minerals in India