Bhubaneswar | Sept 29, 2016: Resolute to promote the mining sector in a big way and deepen linkages with industry for a strong and sustained growth of the sector, the Odisha Government made a strong pitch for investments in the downstream sector. The state government has already initiated some key reforms to ensure “Ease of Mining” in the state, said steel and mines minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick while addressing industry leaders at a conference on Increasing Mining Sector: Contribution to GDP organised by CII here on Wednesday.
A robust mining sector and downstream industry will shape the economic growth of Odisha -- a state which is being seen as one of the most lucrative investment destinations in India and South East Asia, Mallick said.
TV Narendran, MD, Tata Steel and chairman, CII eastern region, said growth of the mining sector has a positive impact on downstream industries such as power generation, steel making, aluminium, auto, chemicals, cement and infrastructure.
He also underscored the need for strong logistics infrastructure, including key rail links and coastal shipping on eastern India’s seaboard to ensure appropriate evacuation and cost effective mineral transportation.
“Expanding capacity at major ports such as Paradip and Vizag will ease sea route transport of coal and iron ore from eastern ports in India to other costal demand areas,” Narendran said.
Sanjay Pattanaik, chairman, CII Odisha, said mining remains the biggest strength of eastern India. With India having seen a significant increase in demand for commodities on the back of steady economic growth and urbanisation, rapid development of the mining and metals sector will define how the Indian economy will grow, Pattanaik said.
Manikanta Naik felt with the enabling policies in place, the mining sector is all set to achieve excellent growth in the coming years. The conference also discussed on viable business models, reporting standards, sustainable mining practices, regulatory reforms and operational sustainability in the mining sector besides others.
RK Sharma, principal secretary, department of steel & mines, said “Odisha is home to 33 per cent of country’s iron ore reserves and 25 per cent coal and has traditionally been a mining hub.”
Mines need to be explored to the optimum level for which the there must be in place an easy and efficient clearance system, Sharma said.
(Source: http://www.thestatesman.com/)