Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, held a comprehensive review of the operations and future strategies of the Department of Geology and Mining in a meeting here today.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Mining; Director, Mining; MD, JK Minerals besides other concerned officers.

During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary laid strong emphasis on leveraging technology to curb the illegal mining across the Union Territory. He directed the department to adopt tools such as GPS tracking, RFID tagging and geo-fencing, along with development of real-time monitoring systems to generate actionable triggers against the violators. He underscored the importance of creating sufficient deterrence, especially against habitual offenders, to ensure strict compliance and transparency in mining operations.

Dulloo further called for expediting the issuance of Letters of Intent (LoIs) in favour of all inoperational mineral blocks. He asked the department to actively liaise with the Union Ministry of Mines, for early assessment and auctioning of newly identified mineral blocks.

He asked the department to study and emulate the best practices adopted by other progressive States and Union Territories that are generating significant revenue from the mining sector.

The Chief Secretary observed that there is a need to revive the mining sector through comprehensive reforms. He maintained that for early framing of District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) rules in line with national mining reforms.

Expressing concern over the overcharging of minor minerals, Dulloo directed the department to ensure fair pricing and abundant availability of construction material to the general public. He stressed the need for a more transparent, citizen-friendly, and technology-driven ecosystem to make the sector efficient, accountable and responsive to the needs of both the economy and the people.

Principal Secretary, Mining, Anil Kumar Singh, while speaking in this meeting made out that a total of 233 mineral blocks auctioned/reserved across J&K, 106 are currently operational while 127 are non-operational. Efforts are underway to make 60 of these non-operational blocks functional by October 31, 2025, he added.

He added that the department has set an ambitious revenue target of Rs 500 crore for the current financial year, a significant increase from Rs 150 crore in FY 2024-25. This target included Rs 260 crore from major minerals and Rs 220 crore from minor minerals, with an additional Rs 100 crore from other sources.

Regarding the major minerals, it was informed that 48 blocks of Limestone had been identified, including 23 non-operational mining leases, 7 prospected 10A2(B) cases and 3 newly identified blocks in Anantnag, along with blocks in Pulwama, Poonch and Rajouri. Five limestone blocks with a reserve of 75.597 Million Tonnes have been proposed for e-auction by October 31, 2025, with an expected revenue of Rs 260.00 crore, the meeting was informed.

About Minor Minerals (RBM), it was revealed that the department aims to make 60 non-operational blocks operational by October 31, 2025, contributing Rs 53 crore. Additionally, 8 Letters of Intent (LOI) are to be issued within one month and 19 blocks have been identified for e-auction with a reserve bid finalized, expected to be completed within three months.

Furthermore, 73 blocks identified for e-auction under the Single Window System are awaiting NOCs from the concerned Deputy Commissioners which are expected by August 18, 2025, with an estimated revenue of Rs100 crore, as was apprised in the meeting.

As far as Lithium reserves in Reasi are concerned, it was divulged that the Geological investigations by GSI indicate a resource of 5.9 million tons of Lithium stretched over 3 sq km. Additionally, detailed geological studies are underway with an expected completion date of December 31, 2025.

The other mineral resources that were discussed in the meeting included Sapphire (Kishtwar), Lignite (Kupwara), Limestone (Anantnag), Granite (Doda&Ganderbal), Quartzite (Kishtwar), Dolomite (Rajouri) and Graphite (Kupwara) with timeline for exploration of each detailed out in the meeting.

Moreover, it was given out that the department is actively implementing the technology to curb illegal mining and monitor activities. The first phase of an integrated Mining Surveillance System (MSS) portal and mobile application for detecting illegal mining using satellite imagery is operational, with the second phase in progress.

 This system will include real-time vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled monitoring, integration with Vahan Portal and weighbridges besides e-Challan generation. On-spot imposition of penalties through Point of Sale (PoS) machines has begun in Jammu and Samba districts and will be implemented across J&K by July 15, 2025. The implementation of the Mine Surveillance System with BISAG is also on track.

As part of steps towards curbing the illegal mining,  constitution of a “Multi Departmental District Level Task Force Cell,” construction of 22 Mineral Check Posts and the launch of an Online Web-portal for mineral sale and purchase is also being done.

With respect to the working of J&K Minerals Limited (JKML), the meeting was apprised that it currently operates the Gypsum Mine in Parlanka, Ramban and Coal Mines in Kalakot, Rajouri/Reasi. Efforts are underway to operationalize additional minor mineral blocks and limestone quarries.  It also took note of certain financial liabilities of JKML pending with other departments to improve its position here.