President Droupadi Murmu on Friday presented the National Geoscience Awards-2024 at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, recognizing outstanding contributions in the field of geoscience.
Addressing the gathering, the President highlighted the central role of minerals in human civilization, noting that the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age – key stages of human progress – were named after minerals. “Industrialization would have been unimaginable without minerals like iron and coal,” she said.
Underscoring the economic importance of mining, President Murmu said the sector not only fuels development but also generates large-scale employment. At the same time, she cautioned about its adverse impacts, including displacement, deforestation, and air and water pollution. “All regulations must be strictly followed during mining and even during mine closure to safeguard local residents and wildlife,” she emphasized.
The President urged geoscientists to explore ocean-based mineral resources responsibly, developing technologies to harness these reserves while minimizing damage to marine biodiversity. She said their role goes beyond mining, calling for innovations to reduce wastage, add value to mineral products, and ensure geo-environmental sustainability.
Applauding the Ministry of Mines’ initiatives, she noted the use of AI, machine learning, and drone-based surveys in mining, as well as efforts to recover valuable elements from mine tailings.
President Murmu placed special emphasis on Rare Earth Elements (REEs), describing them as the “backbone of modern technology” that power smartphones, electric vehicles, defense systems, and clean energy solutions. “Given the current geopolitical situation, India must become self-reliant in REE production to achieve the goal of a developed India and ensure national security,” she said.
She explained that REEs are considered rare not due to scarcity, but because of the complexity of refining them. She called for the development of indigenous technologies to process REEs, terming it a major contribution to the national interest.
The National Geoscience Awards, instituted by the Ministry of Mines, recognize excellence and innovation in the field of geoscience and mining.