Punjab aims to diversify mineral exploration
Punjab: Mining & Geology Minister Chetan Singh Jouramazra encourages focus on precious minerals like potassium etc. Chandigarh: Punjab Mining & Geology Minister Mr. Chetan Singh Jouramazra on Friday called for a paradigm shift in the mineral exploration efforts of the State and urged the government and private entities to look beyond traditional resources like sand and gravel etc. Speaking during a workshop on “Mineral Exploration” organised by the Mines & Geology Department in collaboration with National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), the Cabinet Minister highlighted the recent discoveries and emphasised the possibility of more mineral wealth in the region.
Citing the report submitted by the geologists of Punjab Government in July 2022, which found significant deposits of 6 million tonnes of potassium at Kabarwala village in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, making Punjab the fourth State in India to tap this precious resource mainly for fertilizer production, Mr. Chetan Singh Jouramazra said that potassium is mostly used for fertilizers and 99 per cent of potassium in the country is imported. He said that as per research in this field, Punjab is the fourth state in the country where potassium has been discovered. The Cabinet Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government led by Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann to not only ensure affordable building material for the citizens but also to promote innovation and research in the mining sector.
He called upon geologists from both public and private sectors to focus their attention on exploration of high value minerals, viewing it as a catalyst for economic strength of Punjab and national progress. He said that this programme has been organized to move forward in this direction and to carry out exploration work through private companies as well. He urged geologists from government and private sector to pay special attention to exploration work of precious minerals, which will make Punjab economically strong and contribute to the progress of the state and the country.
