Hyderabad, Oct 29 (FN Bureau) Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) Regional Controller Shailendra Kumar on Friday said that mining will play a significant role in the development of the country by giving necessary impetus to economic growth. Addressing at a National Seminar on “Role of critical minerals in National development’ organised by the Mining Engineers Association of India (MEAI) here, he said that the critical miners are being extensively used in the manufacture of mobile smart phones, flat-screen, defense, automobiles, medical imaging, television and other electronic products. China was topping the world in the exploration of miners and its export and making strides in the manufacturing sector, he stated.
Exuding with confidence that the country would emerge as number one in the world in the exploration of 12 critical miners used in the manufacturing sector, the IBM Regional Controller said that there was good demand for rare earth minerals such as Beryllium, Germanium, Rhenium, Tantalum and others in the manufacturing sector in the world. Stressing on the need for the exploration and excavation of rare earth minerals in the country, he said that the country would progress at a rapid speed in the coming 10 years. Mr Kumar said that there should be more explorations to attain self-sufficiency in the mining sector. The solar power panels used to generate green energy were also manufactured by using the rare minerals available on the earth, he stated. He also stressed the need for the identification of critical minerals in the fly-ash, the by-product of the thermal power station after burning the coal and said that there should be more research on the optimum utilisation of the flyash in the country to reduce pollution as well as using natural minerals. MEAI President K Madhusudhan said that the country had achieved self-sufficiency in the production and utilization of coal to meet the energy requirements. The mining sector should also play a role in the development of other sectors of the country, he said and stressed more research to explore minerals without causing harm to nature.
Explaining about the activities of the MEAI and educational programmes to the students of mining engineers, MEAI former Chairman of Hyderabad Chapter Sushil Kumar said that MEAI belonging to Osmania and Kakatiya universities had ensured reintroduction of mining engineering course in OU from this academic year onwards. Geological Survey of India former Deputy Director-General Dr Hari Sarvothaman explained the importance of the Seminar.