Why in the News?

• The Union Minister of Coal & Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the newly constructed Regional Office of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
• It will enhance regulatory oversight, expedite issue resolution, foster growth in the mining sector in line with ‘Viksit Bharat,’ and strengthen IBM’s institutional presence in eastern India.

Key Points:

Objective:

⇒ The IBM was initially established as an advisory body but has evolved into a premier national organization that promotes scientific development, conservation, and sustainable management of India’s mineral resources.

Functions:

• Inspects mines to ensure scientific conservation of mineral resources.
• Scrutinizes and approves mining plans and schemes.
• Conducts geological and environmental studies.
• Prepares feasibility reports for mining and beneficiation projects.
• Provides consultancy services and acts as a data bank for mines and minerals.

Role in Mineral Conservation:

⇒ IBM works to promote the upgradation and utilization of low-grade ores, prepares mineral maps, and maintains the National Mineral Inventory of resources, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Research & Development:

⇒ The organization engages in evolving technologies for ore beneficiation.

⇒  It also operates a Modern Mineral Processing Laboratory and Pilot Plant at Nagpur, set up with UNDP assistance, for advanced research and pilot-scale experimentation.

Presence & Outreach:

⇒ IBM has offices in key mining regions such as Ajmer, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Chennai, Dehradun, Goa, Guwahati, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Raipur, Nagpur, Ranchi, and Udaipur.