India Mining Sector Charted At Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir

India’s mining sector kicked off a pivotal national policy forum — the Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir 2026 — in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, signalling renewed momentum for coordinated reform, sustainable resource development and strategic planning aligned with the government’s long‑term development vision to 2047. The two‑day conclave convened central and state leadership, senior officials and sector specialists to grapple with industry bottlenecks, governance challenges and opportunities in critical minerals and mineral supply chains. 

Senior policymakers underscored the imperative of strengthening mining governance structures and inter‑governmental cooperation to unlock value across India’s mineral sectors. Opening sessions highlighted the need for efficient project execution, sustainable extraction practices and technology adoption that balance growth with environmental stewardship — themes increasingly urgent as the country pursues infrastructure acceleration and energy security. The forum featured contributions from ministers responsible for mining, energy and water resources from several states, alongside central government representatives. These discussions mapped state‑specific priorities, implementation challenges and emerging best practices in regulatory oversight. Attendees also reviewed ongoing project pipelines, sharing insights on administrative and operational reform levers that can enhance productivity, safety and environmental compliance across diverse geological contexts. 

A centrepiece of the deliberations was the focus on the National Critical Mineral Mission, a strategic initiative intended to identify, promote and utilise India’s reserve of minerals critical to future economic competitiveness — including materials vital for electronics, clean energy technologies and other high‑growth industries. Officials articulated frameworks to expedite exploration, streamline auctioning and strengthen value addition within domestic mineral supply chains, positioning India as a more resilient and self‑reliant player in global value networks. Workforce development and operational governance also featured prominently. Participants discussed mechanisms to improve labour code implementation and skill enhancement, with the aim of aligning within evolving industrial contexts that increasingly require sophisticated, technology‑augmented mining operations. Policy dialogue at the Shivir considered how labour frameworks can support both productivity and worker welfare in mining districts. 

Importantly, the conclave provided a platform for reinforcing sustainable mining principles as core to India’s resource strategy. With rising global expectations for environmentally sound extraction and processing, Shivir sessions explored methods to reduce environmental footprints, enhance rehabilitation of mined lands and integrate circular economy approaches — especially for critical and strategic minerals whose demand will accelerate with the energy transition. Industry observers note that such high‑level engagement is crucial as India expands its mineral production and seeks to attract investment into exploration and value‑added processing. Clear policy direction emerging from the Shivir can help unlock commercial confidence while safeguarding environmental and social outcomes in mineral‑dependent regions.

As the next phase of the Shivir progresses, stakeholders are expected to refine action agendas that operationalise key commitments. The focus on critical minerals, governance reforms and sustainability signals a shift from administrative dialogue to implementable frameworks — a necessary pivot if the mining sector is to underpin broader infrastructure, manufacturing and climate resilience goals in India’s growth trajectory.

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India Mining Sector Charted At Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir