By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, will host the annual event of 64th Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting Chaired by Shri V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines on 19th January 2025 at the State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This pivotal event will bring together key stakeholders from the exploration, researchers, and mining sectors to deliberate on geoscientific advancements, mineral exploration strategies, and solutions to challenges, including new initiatives in clean energy, geohazards, and sustainable development.
The meeting will also be graced by Shri Asit Saha, Director General, GSI, and Shri Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, along with senior representatives from the Ministry of Mines, GSI, State geological departments, PSUs, and private exploration/mining companies.
The deliberations in the meeting will focus on the issues faced by the mineral sector in the country that includes:
Critical mineral exploration to support clean energy goals.
AI/ML-driven mineral prospectivity analysis.
State of the art geophysical techniques for mineral exploration.
Reappraisal of underexplored areas.
Geohazard studies including landslides and geo-environmental issues.
Border region geoscience investigations.
A significant highlight will be the placing GSI’s Annual Program for FS 2025-26, comprising 1,065 rigorously peer-reviewed projects across various disciplines of earth-sciences with major emphasis on mineral exploration. The program emphasizes innovation and sustainability, with expanded focus on carbon sequestration, offshore exploration, and capacity building through specialized training projects.
A highlight of the event will be the announcement of winners from the Mineral Hunt Techniques Hackathon, which received applications from startups and unicorns. The hackathon showcases cutting-edge techniques designed to accelerate mineral exploration and resource augmentation.
Other highlights include the launch of publications, including on the Geology and Mineral Resources of Jharkhand and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and a Geology and Mineral Resource Map of the North Eastern Region.
The CGPB meeting will serve as a collaborative and coordinating platform to align national geoscientific priorities with global sustainability goals, advancing India’s vision of innovation and resource security.
The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) is an important platform of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines wherein the Annual Field Season Program (FSP) of GSI is placed for discussion and to avoid duplication of work.
The members of CGPB and other stakeholders like State Governments, Central/ State Government Mineral Exploration Agencies, PSUs and Private Entrepreneurs place their requests for collaborative work with GSI. Based on the priorities set by the Government of India and the importance and urgency of proposals presented by the members and stakeholders, the Annual Programme of GSI for survey & mapping, exploration, Research and Development, multidisciplinary catering to societal projects and training & capacity building programmes during the forthcoming financial year is given a final shape after due discussion and deliberations held at the topmost level at CGPB meeting, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, vide notification dated 18th August 2023, had revamped/ reconstituted the CGPB Committee into 12 theme-based groups. The main objective of this reconstitution is to enable the States and other Stakeholders to accrue benefit from wider participation and interaction with GSI to further their activities and avoid duplication.
It was felt that it would provide a forum for better coordination between Central and State level stakeholders by encouraging the regular functioning of State Geological Programming Boards (SGPB), set up by the State Governments. It was decided that the 12 Committees for the various sub-sectors would comprise members and invitees from the concerned States and Agencies engaged in activities in the field relevant to that particular sector and present their recommendations to the CGPB.
