Experts call for right policy in mining sector

Experts urge government to adopt appropriate policies to tap the mining potential in the interior tribal areas. They note that mineral rich states such as Chattisgarh, Odisha and Jhar khand, have high levels of poverty, indicating that mineral wealth has not translated into prosperity, so far. Therefore, they urge government to come out with policy that facilitates inclusive development of mining sector which takes into account the overall progress of local population.

Experts remark that the business model often focuses on maximising short-term profits, using local population for low-wage jobs, while simultaneously turning to outside companies for high-value services, and ignoring the environmental costs and social disruption that their operations engender. An impor tant opportunity for companies to address social needs in their value chain occurs in the project planning phase. Indian mining companies can learn important lessons from some successes in other parts of the world, experts opine.