Following a paradigm change in the mineral sector post the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, The Chamber responded pro- actively to the dynamic changes that have been taking place in the sector. The Minerals & Mining Conclave, themed as "Mapping Minerals & Mining Industry with the Future Economy", organised by The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry on 19th July 2019, in Delhi, has set a new momentum and have been hugely successful in spreading awareness about the great economic potential in the mining and minerals sector.

Considering the importance of this sector, the 'Bengal Chamber Committee on Minerals & Mining' was formed recently, led by Mr. P S Bhattacharyya, Chairman, Minerals & Mining Committee and Former Chairman, Coal India; Mr. P K Mukherjee, Co-Chair and Former MD, Sesa Goa Limited and Mr. Rana Som, Co-Chair, and Former CMD, NMDC to address the key concerns through industry experts and recommending the findings to the appropriate levels of relevant governments. This Conclave is the prime and first initiative to highlight and discuss the issues & suggestions with all the concerned authorities and stakeholders and deliberate on a roadmap to make the nation self-sufficient in raw-materials and enhancing domestic production..

India produces 95 minerals- 4 fuel-related minerals, 10 metallic minerals, 23 non-metallic minerals, 3 atomic minerals and 55 minor minerals (including building and other minerals).Rise in infrastructure development and automotive production are driving growth in the sector. Power and cement industries are also aiding growth in the metals and mining sector. Demand for iron and steel is set to continue, given the strong growth expectations for the residential and commercial building industry. India is the 3rd largest producer of coal. Coal production in the country stood at 688.8 million tonnes in FY18. India ranks 4th in terms of iron ore production globally. In FY18, production of iron ore stood at 210 million tonnes. India has around 8 per cent of world's deposits of iron ore. India became the world's second largest crude steel producer in 2018 with an output of 106.5 million tonnes. According to Ministry of Mines, India has the 7th largest bauxite reserves- -- around 2,908.85 million tonnes in FY17. Aluminium production stood at 0.92 million metric tonnes during Apr- June 2018 and is forecasted to grow to 3.33 million tonnes in FY20. There is a significant scope for new mining capacities in iron ore, bauxite and coal and considerable opportunities for future discoveries of sub-surface deposits. Infrastructure projects continue to provide lucrative business opportunities for steel, zinc and aluminium producers. Aluminium production is forecasted to grow to 3.33 million metric tonnes by FY20. Iron and steel make up a core component of the real estate sector. Demand for these metals is set to continue given strong growth expectations for the residential and commercial building industry. Mineral resources security is an important issue with strategic as well as economic significance. Securing access to sufficient, reliable, affordable, and sustainable supplies of minerals is increasingly becoming an important factor for functioning of downstream industries and the overall economy. It is imperative that the exploration is carried out systematically, scientifically and intensively over the entire geologically conducive mineral bearing area of the country, using state-of-the-art technologies in a time bound manner. The challenges that the mining and metals sector faces are not occurring within an industry vacuum. They are taking place in the context of - and to some extent being driven by - the broader technological and economic upheaval brought about by rapid and disruptive digital innovations across industries. As with historical upheavals, technology has hastened the spread of ideas. The major difference between disruption today and in the past is the accelerating pace and pervasiveness of change. Particular attention must be given to exploration of minerals in which the country has a poor resource-cum-reserve base for which the country is mainly dependent on imports. The Conclave thus provided a perspective on the challenges, increasing the production of mineral, sustainable mining and also innovations in mining to address the downbeat image of mining industry..

Through its various sessions the Conclave focused on : "Indian Coal Industry- Mapping the Future Demand", "Iron ore mining in India: The road ahead", "Non Ferrous, Precious & Rare Earth Metals Mining: The unexplored zone" and "Rebranding the image of the Mining Sector- Role of Technology, Policy and beyond CSR Activities".

The Conclave witnessed the presence of Mr. Anil Kumar Jha, Chairman & MD, Coal India Ltd. and Shri Sumanta Chaudhuri, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India who was the Chief Guest of the Conclave. Some of the other Key speakers of the Conclave were Dr. A S Firoz, Chief Economist, Economic Research Unit (ERU), Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India, Mr. S K Roongta, Former Chairman, SAIL, Mr. Prasanna Panda, Senior President, Essel Mining & Industries Ltd., Mr. D. Mohan Raj, ADG & Head, Mission-II, Geological Survey of India, Ms. Neena Singh, Managing Partner, ERM India Pvt. Ltd. and Dr. Rahul Tongia, Fellow, Brookings India..

The conclave was attended by 140 - 150 participants from across mining companies, steel products & steel alloys producing companies, Engineering Industry, Mining Equipment & Machinery producing companies, Sponge Iron Manufacturers, Mineral Trading Companies, Institutes with Department of Geology, Geo-Spatial companies, Consultants and also Engineers. The participation included big corporate as well as small & medium companies to individuals like faculties, Engineers, Designers & consultants.