Centre, states to discuss mining and coal sector reforms at conference in Goa: Minister

Panaji: The National Conference on Mining, beginning in South Goa on Thursday, will bring together the Centre and states to discuss reforms, emerging challenges and ways to strengthen the mining and coal sectors, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy has said. The Minister for Coal and Mines arrived in the coastal state on Wednesday evening to participate in the two-day conference. Over the two days, the conference will bring together the Centre and states for focused deliberations on key reforms, emerging challenges and ways to strengthen the mining and coal sectors, Reddy wrote on his X handle late Wednesday evening.

The agenda includes the launch of new critical mineral auction tranches, digital initiatives to strengthen mineral governance, and extensive discussions with the states on advancing reforms, enhancing transparency and unlocking the sector's full potential, he said. Looking forward to meaningful deliberations and collaborative efforts towards building a stronger, more efficient and future-ready mining and coal sector, the minister said. The 9th tranche of the critical mineral auction will be launched during the event along with the third tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) blocks, as per the conference organisers.

The ninth round or phase of auctions is conducted by the Union Ministry of Mines to allocate blocks containing critical minerals to companies for exploration and mining. The third tranche of EL blocks refers to the third batch of mineral areas being offered by the Union Ministry of Mines through competitive auction to companies for mineral exploration.