Chhattisgarh targets complete mineral value chain from mining to advanced manufacturing

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said the BJP-ruled state aims to develop a complete mineral value chain within its borders, from exploration and mining to processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling.

Addressing a roadshow on the eighth tranche of auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, organised by the Union Ministry of Mines at Nava Raipur, Sai urged investors to actively participate in the exercise and leverage Chhattisgarh's growing mineral potential, an official statement said.

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The latest tranche comprises 20 mineral blocks across seven states, including five in Chhattisgarh, officials said.

"This is not merely an opportunity to acquire mineral blocks. It is an opportunity to give a new direction to the economy of Chhattisgarh and the country through exploration, processing, value addition, innovation and new industries," Sai maintained.

The state's vision is not limited to increasing mineral production, but is aimed at developing the entire mineral-based value chain within Chhattisgarh, he said.

"Instead of sending minerals outside the state after exploration and extraction, our endeavour is to undertake their processing, value addition and advanced manufacturing here," Sai told the participants at the roadshow.

This would maximise the economic benefits of the state's natural resources while attracting investment, setting up new industries and creating employment opportunities for youth, he argued.

Sai noted critical and strategic minerals would become key pillars of India's economic growth, technological self-reliance and strategic security. Their reliable availability is essential for emerging sectors such as defence, artificial intelligence, clean energy, electric mobility, electronics, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.

Lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, vanadium, nickel and chromium are among the minerals critical to sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, clean energy and electric mobility, he stressed.

Sai said Chhattisgarh, one of India's major mineral-rich states, has been emerging as a promising destination for critical minerals.

Lithium and rare earth elements have been identified in Katghora (Korba district) and Bastar, graphite, vanadium and gallium in Balrampur, phosphorite in Balod, and nickel, chromium and glauconite in Mahasamund district, he said.

The state has also been developing an AI-based data centre park and electronics manufacturing cluster in Nava Raipur and an electronics manufacturing cluster in Rajnandgaon.

"The availability of mineral resources in close proximity will provide the state a natural competitive advantage for such industries," Sai said.

The CM emphasised the state government has been creating an investor-friendly environment to attract new-age industries.

Chhattisgarh's new industrial policy provides incentives for emerging and future-oriented sectors, while the Ease of Doing Business Act has simplified formalities for low-and-medium-risk industries, he pointed out.

The CM informed that Chhattisgarh's mineral revenue had increased from around Rs 400 crore at the time of the state's formation (in November 2000) to more than Rs 16,000 crore now. This revenue was roughly Rs 12,000 crore about two-and-a-half years ago when the BJP came to power after displacing the Congress.

Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals was essential for India's economic and strategic strength.

The Centre's objective was not merely mineral exploitation, but promotion of sustainable and responsible mining, with due attention to environmental protection and the interests of local communities, Dubey affirmed.

Keshav Chandra, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Mines, said the Centre has so far initiated the auction process for 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks. Of these, 56 blocks had been successfully auctioned.

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He highlighted Chhattisgarh's mineral potential and said India's first lithium-bearing mineral block was auctioned from the Katghora lithium and rare earth element block in the state.

Five of the 20 blocks offered in the eighth tranche are located in Chhattisgarh, he said, urging investors to participate in building a secure and self-reliant critical mineral ecosystem.

During the programme, Sai launched the e-Ret Sangwari portal, which will enable beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to access sand at concessional rates through a more transparent and streamlined system, the release said.

A Tin Portal was also launched for tribal communities associated with the metal in the Dantewada region to help ensure better prices for their produce and greater transparency, it said.

On the occasion, an MoU was signed between the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation and Indian Overseas Bank, while another was inked between CMDC and Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University for training in corundum cutting and polishing.

These agreements are aimed at strengthening financial cooperation, skill development, value addition and investment opportunities in the mineral sector, added the statement.

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