The 63rd Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) meeting concluded on Monday under the chairmanship of V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines.
The primary agenda of the meeting centered around the proposed Annual Programme for the upcoming Field Season year 2024-25. GSI presented an ambitious plan comprising 1055 scientific programs, featuring 392 Mineral Development projects and 133 Mineral Discovery Projects, with a significant focus on strategic minerals like REE, RM, Graphite, Lithium, Vanadium, and PGE.
In a notable development, the meeting approved 111 projects under Natural Hazard Studies/Public Good Geoscience, emphasizing societal benefits. Additionally, collaborations with universities and agencies for 43 programs were announced, including partnerships with IITs, NGRI, DRDO, NRSC-ISRO, and other esteemed institutions.
The meeting also marked the unveiling of the Geological & Geotechnical investigation report of Joshimath Township, Chamoli District, and the release of the Mineral Map of Ladakh. V.L. Kantha Rao stressed the importance of scientific rigor in the mining sector, urging increased exploration pace and highlighting the significance of exploring Critical Minerals.
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) portal. The cloud-based platform aims to host pre-competitive baseline geological and mineral exploration data, facilitating accessibility for participants in the mineral and mining sectors. Rao encouraged stakeholders to utilize the portal for a smoother exploration process, emphasizing the role of cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in enhancing mineral exploration.
A two-hour session was dedicated to briefing stakeholders about the NGDR portal, emphasizing its potential in utilizing AI and ML for identifying subtle patterns and relationships within vast datasets.
The event also featured an exhibition themed “Mining and Beyond,” showcasing achievements from GSI, PSUs, DMFs, major mining companies, private exploration agencies, startups, and the Madhya Pradesh Government. PSUs such as MOIL, HCL, NALCO, and MECL demonstrated best practices and technical advancements, providing visitors with insights into mining and mineral processing through virtual reality systems.
The CGPB meeting serves as a crucial platform for the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to discuss and finalize its Annual Field Season Program (FSP), ensuring coordination and avoiding duplication of work among various stakeholders. The ambitious agenda set during the 63rd CGPB meeting reflects the commitment to advancing geological and mineral exploration efforts in the forthcoming year.