Ministry of Mines is organising the Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir–2026 from 8th to 10th January, 2026 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with the objective of holding structured deliberations on key regulatory and developmental issues related to the mining sector and further strengthening Centre–State coordination.

The formal inauguration of the event will be done by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre on 9th January. The event will be graced by Shri C. R. Patil, Union Minister for Jal Shakti; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour & Employment; Shri Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines. Ministers in charge of Mining from various States, senior officers of the Central and State Governments, experts and industry stakeholders will participate in the three-day event.

A dedicated focus of the Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir–2026 will be on the Critical Minerals Mission, aimed at strengthening domestic availability of critical and strategic minerals essential for clean energy transition, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. Discussions will cover enhancing exploration efforts, securing supply chains, encouraging domestic processing and value addition, and improving coordination between the Centre and States to support long-term mineral security.

The Rashtriya Khanij Chintan Shivir–2026 will also feature focused discussions on exploration and auction of mineral blocks, sustainable and responsible mining practices, adoption of advanced technologies, mine safety, ease of doing business, and promotion of value addition in the mineral sector. Emphasis will be placed on reducing import dependence, promoting self-reliance, and strengthening the mining ecosystem.

The Chintan Shivir is expected to provide a common platform for the Centre and States to exchange best practices, address key challenges, and chart a coordinated roadmap for the overall growth and sustainable development of India’s mining sector in alignment with national priorities.

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Prajith Kumar