Context: Recently, the ministry of mines unveils the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal.

• The Ministry of Mines conceptualized NGDR as part of NMEP 2016, assigning GSI the responsibility to establish this digital geospatial platform.

About National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal

• The National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) is established as a part of the National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016, by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskarachaya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).

• NGDR hosts all baseline and exploration-related geoscientific data in a single GIS platform, to expedite, enhance and facilitate the exploration coverage of the country.

• This will include baseline geoscience data and all mineral exploration information generated by various central and state government agencies and mineral concession holders.

• It aims at democratizing critical geoscience data, empowering stakeholders across industries and academia with access to invaluable resources.

• Currently, 35 map services are incorporated in the NGDR portal, covering geological, geochemical, and geophysical aspects, enhancing the understanding of potential mineral zones.

• Users, upon registration, can view, download, and interpret the geoscientific data available on the NGDR portal.

• NGDR's overarching goal is to increase the investment attractiveness of India's mining sector by providing open access to geological, geochemical, and mineral exploration data on a digital geospatial platform.

Key Features

• Centralized Access: Provides a centralized repository of diverse geoscience datasets, including geological maps, mineral resources, seismic data, and environmental information.

• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive interface designed to cater to a wide range of users, enabling seamless navigation and exploration of data.

• MERT template: The Mineral Exploration Reporting Template facilitates all the geoscientific stakeholders to submit their data in the NGDR portal in a standard reporting template.

• Analytical Tools: Equipped with state-of-the-art analytical tools to interpret and extract valuable insights from complex geospatial data.

• Open Access: Encourages transparency and knowledge sharing by offering open access to a wealth of geoscience information.

Accessibility

• NGDR portal allows global viewing, downloading, and interpretation of geoscientific data, attracting international mining companies and fostering technological advancements in mineral exploration.

• By establishing a state-of-the-art, user-friendly, and interoperable platform, India joins other mineral-rich countries globally that prioritize the accessibility of geoscientific data for successful mineral exploration programs.

National Mineral Exploration Policy, 2016

• The National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) aims to accelerate exploration activities in India, encouraging private sector participation to uncover and maximize the nation's non-fuel and non-coal mineral potential.

Policy Emphasis

• Comprehensive mineral exploration.

• Making available baseline geoscientific data of world standards in the public domain.

• Public-private partnership for quality research.

• Special initiatives for searching deep-seated and concealed deposits.

• Quick aerogeophysical surveys of the country.

• Creation of a dedicated geoscience database.

Key features

• Auctioning of Exploration Blocks: The Ministry of Mines will carry out auctioning of identified exploration blocks for exploration by private sector on revenue sharing basis in case their exploration leads to auctionable resources.

• Successful bidders bear the revenue for auctionable blocks.

• Exploration Expenditure Reimbursement: If explorer agencies find no auctionable resources, their exploration expenditure will be reimbursed on a normative cost basis.

• Baseline Geoscientific Data: Creation of baseline geoscientific data for open dissemination free of charge.

• National Aerogeophysical Program: Government will carry out a National Aerogeophysical Program for acquiring state-of-the-art baseline data for targeting concealed mineral deposits.

• National Geoscientific Data Repository: A Data Repository is proposed to be set up to collate all baseline and mineral exploration information generated by various central & state government agencies and also mineral concession holders and to maintain these on geospatial database.

• National Centre for Mineral Targeting (NCMT): Proposal to establish a not-for-profit autonomous institution for scientific and technological research in collaboration with scientific, research bodies, universities, and industry.

• Private Investment Incentives: Provisions for inviting private investment in exploration through attractive revenue-sharing models.

• Special Initiative for Deep-Seated Deposits: Launch of a special initiative in collaboration with National Geophysical Research Institute, proposed NCMT, and Geoscience Australia to probe deep-seated/concealed mineral deposits.