The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, has taken a significant step toward revolutionizing the mining sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar.
The agreement, witnessed by Mining and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, marks the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Mining and Geology in Punjab.
In an official statement, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that the Centre of Excellence will play a crucial role in enhancing the scientific assessment and monitoring of mining activities across the state.
By leveraging advanced technologies such as SONAR and LiDAR, the center will help accurately measure the quantity of minor minerals and conduct pre- and post-mining surveys.
Additionally, the center will assist the department in evaluating riverbeds and mining sites before and after the monsoon season to ensure comprehensive assessment and regulation.
Highlighting Punjab’s pioneering efforts in the sector, Minister Goyal stated that Punjab has become the first state in India to implement a Digital Mining Management System. The newly established center in Ropar will ensure a scientific and transparent evaluation of mineral resources, leading to increased government revenue.
He further underscored that these technological advancements would significantly help curb illegal mining, prevent financial losses, and create a more structured and sustainable mining sector in the state.
Beyond monitoring, the center will also be responsible for preparing district survey reports and mining plans, thereby improving the efficiency of mining operations. The MoU is set to remain in effect for five years.
Calling the initiative a milestone, Minister Goyal stated, “Today is a significant day for mining officials, the Punjab government, and the people of Punjab.” He reiterated that to combat illegal mining, the government will employ satellite surveys, drone surveys, and ground surveys for enhanced monitoring.
The Minister further elaborated on the fully digital system, which will function online with daily updates and clear accountability for officials. The collected data will facilitate the tracking of both legal and illegal sand extraction at mining sites.
Additionally, it will offer insights into sand deposits in dams, measuring pre- and post-monsoon levels.
With this system, the exact number of active legal and illegal mining sites can be identified. The data generated by the center will be instrumental in managing sand deposits in rivers ahead of the monsoon season, ensuring better flood prevention strategies.
The system will also measure subsurface sand and gravel deposits at 20-meter intervals, which will contribute to protecting villages from flooding risks.
Dams and rivers, which previously caused flooding and difficulties for people, will now be turned into valuable resources for Punjab. The initiative aims to protect agricultural lands from floods, offering much-needed relief to the farming community.
Furthermore, it seeks to eliminate exploitation and corruption by contractors, ensuring a fair and transparent system.
Minister Goyal issued strict directives to officials, emphasizing that these measures must not remain confined to paperwork. He instructed officers to conduct regular field visits, hold frequent meetings, and manage the mining sector with complete honesty and transparency.
"This agreement is a major step toward eliminating past mismanagement and ensuring that people get sand at fair and reasonable prices," added the Minister. The introduction of a digital module will enhance efficiency, improve site evaluations, and ensure real-time monitoring while adhering to environmental regulations.
The signing event was attended by several distinguished individuals, including Secretary of Geology Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Chief Engineer of Drainage and Mining Dr. Harinder Pal Singh Bedi, all district mining officers, IIT Ropar Dean Sarang Gumfekar, and Professor Dr. Reet Kamal Tiwari.
