63rd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) Meeting Convened In Bhopal

The 63rd gathering of the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) took place in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, with Shri V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, presiding. Notable participants included Shri Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, and Shri Janardan Prasad, Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI).

Discussion on Annual Programme 2024-25

The proposed Annual Programme for the ensuing Field Season year 2024-25 was presented for discussion. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) outlined approximately 1055 scientific programs, including:

392 Mineral Development projects
133 projects with mineral bias or Mineral Discovery Projects
188 projects focusing on strategic & critical and fertilizer minerals
111 projects under Natural Hazard Studies/Public Good Geoscience

Collaborative Efforts and Partnerships

Collaboration with universities, agencies, and sponsorship from various authorities including IITs, NGRI, DRDO, NRSC-ISRO, and others was emphasized. Exploration projects through NMET funding were urged for implementation by State Governments.

National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal

A two-hour session was dedicated to briefing stakeholders about the NGDR portal, designed to host pre-competitive baseline geological and mineral exploration data. The portal utilizes cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML) for enhanced mineral exploration.

Exhibition on “Mining and Beyond”

An exhibition themed “Mining and Beyond” was inaugurated, showcasing achievements and best practices of entities like GSI, PSUs, major mining companies, private exploration agencies, startups, and the Madhya Pradesh Government. Notable participants included PSUs like MOIL, HCL, NALCO, MECL, and mining companies like Hindalco, BALCO, and Tata Steel.

Reconstitution of CGPB Committee

The CGPB Committee was revamped into 12 theme-based groups, aiming to facilitate wider participation and interaction with GSI. This reconstitution aims to enhance coordination between Central and State-level stakeholders and encourage the functioning of State Geological Programming Boards (SGPB).

About Geological Survey of India

The Geological Survey of India (GSI), established in 1851, has evolved into a repository of geo-science information and a geo-scientific organization of international repute. Its functions include creating and updating national geoscientific information, mineral resource assessment, ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, and multidisciplinary geoscientific studies.