At the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), Union Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra expressed concern over the practice of “squatting” on mining assets. Some miners acquire mineral blocks but do not commence operations within the stipulated timeframe. Such delays keep allocated mining resources idle and prevent productive use.
This practice can hinder efficient sector development and limit economic benefits from mineral production. The Mines Secretary emphasized the need for the industry to address this issue and ensure timely operationalisation of acquired blocks.
Separately, Keshav Chandra noted that India has kept open the possibility of returning to lithium exploration in Mali. The country continues to consider overseas opportunities for accessing critical mineral resources.
He also mentioned that the government is working on a policy for processing lithium and nickel. This proposed policy aims to develop processing capabilities for these important minerals and strengthen India's critical-mineral ecosystem.
