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)

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