Meeting metals demand seen key to growth

In order to achieve the projected growth in the Indian economy the country requires higher quantities of basic raw materials such as copper, lead, zinc, coal, iron ore, lime stone and bauxite to meet the increasing domestic and export demands, said A K D Jadhav, secretary, ministry of mines, while inaugurating the "National Seminar on Non Ferrous Metals - Strategies for Competitiveness and Globalisation".

"This situation needs to be tackled on a war footing through priority programmes for encouraging investments in exploration and development of new mineral deposits in a sustainable manner," Jadhav said.

He said scarce minerals like lead, zinc and copper are areas of concern and require special dispensation in policy matters.

"The non-ferrous metals constitute the vital raw materials for many basic industries. Under the liberalised trade regime across the world, opportunities have opened up for gearing domestic production to meet global demands. India is emerging as an important investment destination in mining," he said.

"The overall strategy of exploration of minerals should be guided by long term national goals and perspectives," he added.

"The best use of mineral resources can be achieved through scientific methods of mining, beneficiation and economic utilisation," he quipped.

In the presidential address, Baldev Raj, president, Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), drew the attention of all concerned to the problems of the non-ferrous metals industry.

Organised by the Delhi Chapter of IIM, in collaboration with the concerned ministries/departments and industries, the seminar was aimed for Indian companies to locate appropriate technologies to face global competition and emerge as world-class players.