Raipur. The state of Chhattisgarh is rich in natural resources. As a result of the state government's planned actions for mineral development and exploitation, the state's mineral revenue is steadily increasing. Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to auction a lithium mine. This information was provided by Secretary of Geology and Mining, Mr. P. Dayanand, during a press conference.
Dayanand stated that by increasing the mineral revenue from 429 crore rupees at the time of the state's formation, the state has set a target of 14,592 crore rupees by its silver jubilee year, 2024-25. In the financial year 2025-26, the state government has received approximately 10,345 crore rupees in mineral revenue by December 2025 and is on track to achieve the target of approximately 17,000 crore rupees by the end of the financial year. Chhattisgarh contributes an average of 17 percent of the country's total mineral production and contributes approximately 10 percent to the state's gross domestic product.

The Secretary informed that amendments have been made in the Chhattisgarh District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2015 by assimilating the guiding principles of the Prime Minister's Mineral Welfare Area Scheme Guidelines-2024 issued by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. So far, a contribution of Rs 16,742 crore has been received under DMF, for which 1,07,689 works have been approved for the development of mining-affected areas/people, out of which 75,901 works have been completed and the remaining are in progress.

He informed that State DMF Portal 2.0 has been implemented like the DMF portal of the Central Government for proper monitoring, financial approval, management and control and accountability of the works done under the District Mineral Institute by adjusting the DMF fund. Dayanand said that by amending the Mineral Act, 1957, the Central Government constituted the National Mineral Exploration Development Trust (NMEDT) for exploration of minerals in the country. Rs 1,159 crore has been deposited in the said trust head from the year 2015-16 till December 2025.

The Secretary stated that, as envisioned by the Honorable Prime Minister, critical minerals are considered crucial in the vision of a developed India 2047. In this regard, the Government of India has implemented the National Critical Minerals Mission, which promotes the exploration and exploitation of critical minerals.
Dayanand stated that Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to auction a lithium mine. The Central Government has auctioned lithium and rare minerals in the Katghora tehsil of Korba district. The opening of a lithium mine in the state will provide employment opportunities for local unemployed youth. In the current scenario, the importance of critical and strategic minerals has increased significantly. In light of this, one project has been approved under NMET through notified private sector exploration agencies for the exploration of lithium, niobium, tantalum, and REE minerals in the Bengpal Elingnar Komakoleng area of ​​Sukma and Bastar districts of Chhattisgarh.