SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 5: The second day of the IIT ISM Dhanbad Centenary Foundation Week witnessed an extensive dialogue on India’s mineral future, sustainability challenges, and the technological advancements required to secure long-term resource stability.
Experts from across the country participated in a detailed round of discussions focused on strengthening India’s mineral ecosystem.
Focus on Viksit Bharat 2047 and Innovation-Led Growth
IIT ISM Director Prof. Sukumar Mishra underscored India’s accelerating march toward Viksit Bharat 2047, urging the conversion of fundamental research into commercially viable technologies.
He called upon faculty members, students and institutional collaborators to utilize IIT (ISM)’s innovation-driven environment to deliver impactful and outcome-oriented solutions.
Prof. V. M. S. R. Murthy, Director of IIEST Shibpur, highlighted the institute’s interdisciplinary strengths, which integrate geosciences, mining, and mineral engineering.
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He stressed the need to convert innovations—such as selective mining using surface miners and improvements in drum-design trials—into deployable technologies that enhance energy security, support decarbonization and advance national self-reliance.
Balancing Energy Security, Sustainability and Equity
Sanjeev Kumar Choudhary, ED & State Head, IOCL, spoke on the global shift toward sustainable energy systems and its implications for a country like India, which still relies extensively on fossil fuels.
He outlined the challenges of balancing energy security, sustainability and equity, while explaining India’s transition strategy anchored in diversification, renewables and biofuel initiatives.
Niladri Roy, Director (Technical–Operations), ECL, addressed the declining global dependence on coal and its effects on India’s coal industry. He cautioned that falling demand and elevated stock levels pose production challenges, making diversification, technological adoption and strategic adaptation crucial for the sector.
He also emphasized the rising national importance of critical minerals, particularly for renewable-energy storage and battery applications.
Call for Advanced Technologies and Stronger Academia–Industry Collaboration
Distinguished ISM alumnus and noted seismologist Prof. Harsh K. Gupta stressed the growing national significance of adopting advanced technologies in critical minerals, geo-energy and geosciences.
He highlighted how data-driven exploration, cutting-edge seismic tools, innovative resource assessment techniques and modern geo-energy solutions are reshaping India’s capabilities to map and sustainably utilize strategic mineral resources.
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He called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to accelerate technological innovation and strengthen India’s long-term mineral and resource security.
Earlier, Prof. Bhanwar Singh Choudhary, Head of the Mining Engineering Department, delivered the welcome address.