Only 31% of plans completed in five years; manpower shortage, forest clearance delays cited
Mail News Service
Ranchi, May 5: Mineral exploration efforts in Jharkhand have faced significant setbacks over the past five years, with only 31% of the 78 approved projects from 2017 to 2022 reaching completion. A preliminary audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed that 36% of these projects were either abandoned or left incomplete due to a combination of factors including mapping in ‘No Mining Zones’, delays in forest clearance approvals and a shortage of qualified personnel.
Mineral resources are a vital source of revenue for Jharkhand, second only to commercial taxes. Despite their importance, exploration—the first and most critical stage of mining—has seen sluggish progress. To streamline and promote mineral discovery, the state government formed the Jharkhand State Geological Programming Board (JSGPB) in 2001. From 2016–17 to 2021–22, the board cleared 78 mineral exploration schemes, comprising 61 for major minerals and 17 for minor ones. However, only 24 were completed, 20 are currently ongoing, 6 required changes in executing agencies and 28 were either not initiated or scrapped entirely.
Among the 28 discontinued projects, six were located in prohibited ‘No Mining Zones’, eight faced local opposition or disruptions and twelve were shelved due to a lack of manpower. The 2020–21 fiscal year exemplifies the inefficiencies—nine exploration initiatives were approved that year, but none reached completion. Seven of these were abandoned while only two are still under progress.
A stark illustration of the delays is the mineral exploration project in Noamundi, West Singhbhum, executed by M/s NKPK. Initiated four years ago, the project remains in the initial reconnaissance stage. Out of the total 66.78 hectares proposed for exploration, 51.68 hectares fall within the Chaibasa Forest Division. A no-objection application was submitted to the forest division in 2019 and was later forwarded by the Chief Principal Conservator of Forests in early 2020. Despite this, the proposal lingered in the system for three years before it was finally sent to the central government in December 2022. Conditional Stage-1 approval was granted in 2023, yet by November of the same year, the Directorate of Geology had failed to meet the stipulated conditions or submit the necessary compliance report.
Mineral exploration typically follows four sequential phases: Reconnaissance Survey (a broad-area evaluation of mineral potential), Preliminary Exploration (initial sampling via shallow digging), General Exploration (determining mineral quantity and quality) and Detailed Exploration (comprehensive sampling leading to mine planning). The JSGPB, chaired by the Mining Secretary and with the Director of Geology as Member Secretary, is tasked with formulating annual exploration strategies. The board works in coordination with major stakeholders such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) and CMPDI. Upon conclusion of each project, a detailed Geological Study Report is submitted to the Directorate of Geology.
Despite structural mechanisms in place, Jharkhand’s exploration framework continues to struggle due to procedural bottlenecks and administrative inefficiencies, impeding the state’s potential to capitalize on its rich mineral reserves.
