Nagpur: The country’s oldest mineral exploration agency, the Geological Survey of India (GSI), is hunting for critical minerals as well as rare earth elements (REEs) distributed in 54 different blocks across its central region, which covers the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Out of the 426 blocks where GSI is carrying out exploration across the country at present, over 220 include critical minerals, apart from rare earth elements in some places. If regular minerals are counted, GSI’s exploration continues in 93 blocks throughout the central region.The critical minerals under exploration in the central region include graphite, lithium, molybdenum, nickel, copper, tungsten, potash, phosphate and phosphorite. Apart from this, there are four blocks of rare earth elements and rare metals too.The central regional office, which has its headquarters in Nagpur, observed the GSI Foundation Day on Monday. “Both critical minerals and rare earths are in focus these days, with efforts to increase the domestic production of these resources,” said the additional director general VS Ganvir during the event.Based on the final findings, which are expected to be readied in September, the ministry of mines may offer the blocks in central region for auction. It can be either a direct mining licence or a composite licence, depending on the reportings. In the latter, the bidder has to conduct prospecting, which is the next step to further ascertain the reserves before going ahead with mining operations.“The blocks are classified as G2, G3 and G4. This depends on the data available. In a G2 block, the govt can straightaway invite bids for a mining licence. It is a composite licence for the other two categories,” Ganvir said and added, “In Maharashtra, GSI sees the coastal region and the eastern part of the state as a prospective source for the critical minerals.”GSI’s exploration is over and above similar exercises conducted by other agencies, including the state govts’ directorate of mining and geology. GSI had invited major general NS Sohal, the general officer commanding (GOC) for Uttar Maharashtra and Gujarat (UMANG) sub-area, which has its headquarters at Nagpur, for the event. GSI’s former deputy director Rabindra Nath Padhi was the guest of honour.
