Kollu Ravindra, Minister of Mines, Geology, and Excise, said on Friday that the mining industry is the key to changing the State’s and the country’s destiny. Minister Ravindra emphasized the need for a reimagined mining industry to substantially contribute to India’s economic and industrial growth during his remarks at the conference titled “Unearthing Mineral Potential of AP: Exploration to Auction – A Strategic Vision,” which was held here.

There have been around 29 significant mineral auctions since 2015, and four more are scheduled for this fiscal year. An additional seventy important minerals are being prepared for sale. The Minister said that Andhra Pradesh, which successfully competed with states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, had earned an “A” category score in the SMRI (State Mining Readiness Index) established by the Union Ministry of Mines.

He emphasized that the sale of four important minerals already brings in money. He emphasized the need to develop value-added businesses to provide job possibilities, since the State has a long coastline and significant offshore resources. Minister Ravindra made a serious plea to businesspeople, the federal government, and state governments to work together to exploit the natural resources.

Along with other authorities, Mines Secretary Praveen Kumar, IBM Comptroller of Mines Shailendra Kumar, MECL Director Pankaj Pandey, Geological Survey of India Director Satyanarayana Mahapatro, and Ragupathi Peddireddy attended the occasion.