The PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Jharkhand Chapter hosted the 3rd Edition of the Jharkhand Mining Summit on 16th September 2024, at Hotel Radisson BLU, Ranchi.

The summit brought together key industry leaders, government officials, and corporate stakeholders to discuss the future of mining in the state and the pivotal role of innovation and sustainability in this sector.

Shashi Ranjan, IAS, Director of the Department of Mines & Geology and Managing Director of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation, served as the Chief Guest. Addressing the summit, he emphasised the need for modernisation in the mining industry, stating, “The present National Mining Policy supports the establishment of new industries that incorporate modern techniques and innovations in production. Automation in mining is the need of the hour.”

Echoing this sentiment, Suyash Shukla, Head of Corporate Affairs at JSPL, highlighted the importance of sustainable mining practices. “We are committed to sustainability and aim to resolve issues by adhering to the principle of ‘One Thing’. Our activities in mining not only consider the extraction of resources but also focus on the upliftment of local communities and the overall development of the area. More coal washeries will undoubtedly help Jharkhand become self-reliant and add value to the state's coal usage,” he said.

During the summit, Bijay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of the Pranami Group, called for governmental support to make mining activities more efficient. He urged the authorities to provide relief measures for mining operations and promote the use of modern exploration techniques to build a comprehensive resource inventory of the state's rich mineral deposits.

Adopting technology as a driving force for modernisation was also discussed. Prateek Kumar, Senior Vice President of Hindalco Industries Limited, spoke about the benefits of drone technology in mining and its role in enhancing environmental protection measures.

The summit also featured a session led by Dr Jitender Das, Director General of the FORE Society, who outlined the Society’s initiatives aimed at making India greener. Additionally, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Chairman of PHD Chamber, welcomed attendees and elaborated on the chamber's efforts to support industrial development in Jharkhand, including its encouragement of start-ups and small entrepreneurs.

A key theme of the summit was exploring “Mining at Jharkhand: The Way Forward,” a panel discussion that engaged industry leaders on how to best leverage Jharkhand's natural resources while ensuring environmental sustainability. The summit, attended by 280 delegates, also served as a platform for key industry players, including Central Coalfields Limited, Jindal Steel and Power Limited, and ONGC, to collaborate on future projects.

In conclusion, the 3rd Jharkhand Mining Summit highlighted the pressing need for technological innovation, sustainable practices, and collaborative efforts to ensure the continued growth and responsible development of the mining sector in Jharkhand. As discussions continue, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential for modernisation and the positive impact it will have on the local economy and environment.