India Pushes Mission-Mode Mineral Exploration as G. Kishan Reddy Reviews Key Agencies in Bengaluru
Bengaluru/Kolkata, May 25, 2026: In a major push towards strengthening India’s strategic mineral security and accelerating exploration activities, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday directed all mining and exploration agencies under the Ministry of Mines to fast-track pending projects and adopt a mission-mode approach focused on technology, transparency and accountability.
The directives came during a series of high-level review meetings held in Bengaluru with senior officials of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and the Remote Sensing & Aerial Survey (RSAS) division.
The review meetings focused on accelerating mineral exploration, strengthening scientific and technological capabilities, promoting sustainable mining and aligning institutional efforts with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.” Officials discussed ongoing exploration projects, advanced geospatial technologies, mine sustainability and critical mineral strategies being implemented across the country.
Particular emphasis was laid on the exploration and augmentation of strategic and critical minerals including Rare Earth Elements (REE), lithium, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, vanadium and Platinum Group Elements (PGE), which are increasingly vital for clean energy technologies, electronics, electric mobility and national security infrastructure.
Addressing the officials, Shri Reddy said India’s mining and exploration sector would play a decisive role in securing the country’s future industrial growth and strategic autonomy.
“All organisations must fast-track pending projects and ensure that technology, transparency and efficiency become the foundation of every institutional process,” the Minister said during the review meetings.
Highlighting the role of innovation, the Minister stressed that the future of mineral exploration lies in AI-driven systems, remote sensing technologies, integrated geoscience analytics and advanced exploration methodologies.
During the presentations, the Geological Survey of India highlighted key exploration outcomes from Karnataka and Goa, including the identification of gold, copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group element-bearing zones. GSI also unveiled a five-year roadmap involving thematic mapping, AI and machine learning-enabled mineral targeting and advanced-stage exploration projects covering nearly 48,000 square kilometres.
The National Institute of Rock Mechanics showcased its contributions to nationally significant infrastructure and mining safety initiatives, including tunnel engineering, hydropower projects, metro rail systems, seismic monitoring and controlled blasting near sensitive installations.
Meanwhile, the Indian Bureau of Mines reviewed progress on sustainable mining, operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks, scientific mine closure systems and environmental safeguards. The Bureau also presented findings related to critical mineral recovery potential under the National Critical Mineral Mission.
Officials from the RSAS division informed the Minister that more than 6.5 lakh square kilometres had already been covered under the National Aerogeophysical Mapping Programme (NAGMP), generating over 200 exploration projects through airborne geophysical surveys, hyperspectral remote sensing and AI-assisted mineral prospectivity mapping.
As part of his Bengaluru visit, Shri Reddy also visited the Art of Living Foundation International Centre, where he interacted with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and sought his blessings. The Minister appreciated the institution’s work towards value-based education, spiritual awareness and social transformation rooted in India’s cultural traditions.
Reflecting on the visit, the Minister said India’s development journey towards “Viksit Bharat 2047” must combine economic and technological progress with spiritual consciousness, cultural values and collective service towards society.
Published by IBG NEWS
