GOI Adopts Geo-Tagging and Surveillance to Curb Illegal Mining

07 Apr 2025 CW Team

As part of efforts to strengthen domestic production of critical and strategic minerals, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is undertaking 195 mineral exploration projects during FY 2024–25. The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) is also actively funding exploration, having supported 72 projects this year alone. In addition, 32 private exploration agencies (NPEAs) have been notified to carry out exploration work with NMET funding.

To ensure transparency, amendments to the MMDR Act, 1957 in 2015 introduced e-auctions for granting mineral concessions. Odisha has auctioned 48 mineral blocks, and the Central Government has auctioned 3 blocks of critical and strategic minerals in the state.

Sustainable mining practices are mandated under the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017, which emphasise systematic mineral development, environmental protection, and pollution control. Rules 35 to 44 focus on sustainable mining, supported by the Star Rating system and the Sustainable Development Framework under the National Mineral Policy, 2019.

Odisha's critical mineral reserves (as per NMI 2020)

Graphite: 19.98 million tonnes
Nickel: 175 million tonnes
Rare Earth Elements (REE): 25,493 tonnes
Titanium: 65.67 million tonnes
Vanadium (ore): 4.86 million tonnes
Zircon: 866,919 tonnes
Tin ore: 15,618 tonnes
Copper ore: 11.99 million tonnes
Platinum Group of Metals and Cobalt are also present in smaller but strategic quantities.

This comprehensive surveillance and resource management approach underscores India’s push toward responsible mining and critical mineral security.

(PIB)

To combat illegal mining, the Government of India has adopted geo-spatial technologies such as GIS and satellite imagery through the Mining Surveillance System (MSS), launched in October 2016. Developed by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in collaboration with MeitY and BISAG, the MSS monitors mining lease areas and a 500-meter buffer zone around them. The system detects land pattern changes and generates alerts for suspected illegal mining, which are sent to state governments for ground verification. The MSS is operational in major mineral-rich states, including Odisha. As part of efforts to strengthen domestic production of critical and strategic minerals, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is undertaking 195 mineral exploration projects during FY 2024–25. The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) is also actively funding exploration, having supported 72 projects this year alone. In addition, 32 private exploration agencies (NPEAs) have been notified to carry out exploration work with NMET funding. To ensure transparency, amendments to the MMDR Act, 1957 in 2015 introduced e-auctions for granting mineral concessions. Odisha has auctioned 48 mineral blocks, and the Central Government has auctioned 3 blocks of critical and strategic minerals in the state. Sustainable mining practices are mandated under the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017, which emphasise systematic mineral development, environmental protection, and pollution control. Rules 35 to 44 focus on sustainable mining, supported by the Star Rating system and the Sustainable Development Framework under the National Mineral Policy, 2019. Odisha's critical mineral reserves (as per NMI 2020) Graphite: 19.98 million tonnes Nickel: 175 million tonnes Rare Earth Elements (REE): 25,493 tonnes Titanium: 65.67 million tonnes Vanadium (ore): 4.86 million tonnes Zircon: 866,919 tonnes Tin ore: 15,618 tonnes Copper ore: 11.99 million tonnes Platinum Group of Metals and Cobalt are also present in smaller but strategic quantities. This comprehensive surveillance and resource management approach underscores India’s push toward responsible mining and critical mineral security. (PIB)

Infrastructure Urban

05 Nov 2025

TBO Tek Q2 Profit Climbs 12%, Revenue Surges 26% YoY

TBO Tek Limited one of the world’s largest travel distribution platforms, reported a solid performance for Q2 FY26 with a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs 5.68 billion, reflecting broad-based growth and improving profitability.The company recorded a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of Rs 8,901 crore, up 12 per cent YoY, driven by strong performance across Europe, MEA, and APAC regions. Adjusted EBITDA before acquisition-related costs stood at Rs 1.04 billion, up 16 per cent YoY, translating into an 18.32 per cent margin compared to 16.56 per cent in Q1 FY26. Profit after tax r..

Infrastructure Energy

05 Nov 2025

Northern Graphite, Rain Carbon Secure R&D Grant for Greener Battery Materials

Northern Graphite Corporation and Rain Carbon Canada Inc, a subsidiary of Rain Carbon Inc, have jointly received up to C$860,000 (€530,000) in funding under the Canada–Germany Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme to develop sustainable battery anode materials.The two-year, C$2.2 million project aims to transform natural graphite processing by-products into high-performance, battery-grade anode material (BAM). Supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Programme (NRC IRAP) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs a..

Infrastructure Urban

05 Nov 2025

Antony Waste Q2 Revenue Jumps 16%; Subsidiary Wins Rs 3,200 Cr WtE Projects

Antony Waste Handling Cell Limited (AWHCL), a leading player in India’s municipal solid waste management sector, announced a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in total operating revenue to Rs 2.33 billion for Q2 FY26. The growth was driven by higher waste volumes, escalated contracts, and strong operational execution.EBITDA rose 18 per cent to Rs 570 million, with margins steady at 21.6 per cent, while profit after tax stood at Rs 173 million, up 13 per cent YoY. Revenue from Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transportation (MSW C&T) reached Rs 1.605 billion, and MSW Processing re..