RANCHI — In a major push toward securing India’s energy and resource future, the Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, chaired a comprehensive performance review meeting of the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) on May 14, 2026.
The high-level meeting culminated in the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CMPDIL and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) to radically accelerate coal and mineral exploration across the country.
Key Highlights of the Review & Strategic MoU:
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The Collaboration: CMPDIL and MECL—India’s two premier exploration agencies—have entered a formal pact to synergize exploration operations for both energy and non-energy minerals.
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The Goal: To expand the national inventory of critical minerals and coal, driving the establishment of new domestic mines and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
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Corporate Directive: Minister Dubey instructed CMPDI management to simplify procurement frameworks, maximize market transparency, and boost bidder participation to completely eliminate project bottlenecks.
Focus on Clean Tech, Critical Minerals, and Sustainable Eco-Mining
During the review, CMPDI presented its operational achievements for FY 2025-26—spanning exploration, capital expenditure (CAPEX), R&D projects, solar installations, and CSR initiatives—alongside setting ambitious targets for FY 2026-27.
The Minister heavily underscored the double-edged necessity of expanding clean coal technologies and prioritizing the strategic exploration of critical minerals, calling them vital anchors for India’s future economic and energy security.
Turning Abandoned Mines into Local Economic Engines
In a visionary policy directive, Minister Dubey highlighted the need to transform statutory mine closure activities into sustainable socio-economic lifelines for local communities.
The Ministry plans to repurpose reclaimed and abandoned mining sites to promote fisheries and the commercial cultivation of Fox Nuts (Makhana). This approach directly aligns with the government’s “One District, One Product” (ODOP) initiative, converting depleted industrial zones into highly productive agricultural and aquacultural hubs to support local livelihoods.
The meeting was attended by key institutional leaders, including Shri Chaudhari Shivraj Singh (CMD, CMPDI), Shri Nilendu Kumar Singh (CMD, CCL), Shri I. D. Narayan (CMD, MECL), and various senior technical directors.
