National meet on mining in Vijayawada on March 7 likely to address issues of the sector: FEMMI

FEMMI to host national conference on minor minerals challenges and opportunities in Vijayawada with key policymakers and experts.

The Federation of Minor Minerals Industry (FEMMI), in association with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Mines, will host a national conference on ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Minor Minerals’ in Vijayawada on March 7. It is expected to benefit the industry as key policymakers and experts, including NITI Aayog member V.K. Saraswat, Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary of Mines Praveen Kumar, and IIT (ISM Dhanbad) professor R.M. Bhattacharjee, will participate in the day-long discussions, said FEMMI secretary general Ch. Rao.

Currently, the mining industry is facing several challenges such as fluctuating policies, bureaucratic delays in sanctioning of permissions, excessive taxation, and flaws in the auction system. Support from both the Centre and State government are necessary to bring about reforms in the minor mineral industry, which plays a key role in infrastructure, construction and manufacturing.

Mr. Rao said government support will revive the industry across the country. He pointed out that around half of the minor mineral mines remain non-operational in the country. As many as 50% of the 4,000-plus mines were closed in Andhra Pradesh alone. Small and medium entrepreneurs are facing untold miseries with multiple challenges for the past few years. Thousands of employees and workers also lost their livelihood due to the crisis in the mining industry.

“As India advances towards its long term industrial development goals, the minor mineral sector needs support from both the Union and State governments. We hope the conference will lay a foundation for a transparent, efficient and investment-friendly mining framework in AP as well as other parts of the country,” he added while speaking to mediapersons here.