Union Minister Reviews CMPDIL Performance; CMPDIL and MECL Sign MoU to Boost Mineral Exploration.
Ranchi:
Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey chaired a high-level review meeting of Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) in Ranchi on May 14, 2026, focusing on the organisation’s operational performance, future targets, and strategic initiatives in the coal and mineral sectors.
The meeting was attended by CMPDIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Chaudhari Shivraj Singh, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) CMD Nilendu Kumar Singh, and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) CMD I. D. Narayan, along with senior officials and technical directors from CMPDIL, CCL, and MECL.
During the review, CMPDIL presented its achievements and operational progress in key areas including coal exploration, report preparation, capital expenditure (Capex), research and development projects, corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, and solar energy initiatives during the financial year 2025–26. The institute also outlined its targets and expansion plans for 2026–27.
The Minister appreciated CMPDIL’s performance and stressed the urgent need to adopt clean coal technologies while accelerating the exploration of critical minerals. He highlighted that strategic exploration of both energy and non-energy minerals is vital for India’s long-term energy security and economic growth.
Shri Dubey also directed CMPDIL management to simplify procurement procedures, strengthen transparency, and improve market outreach to ensure wider participation of bidders and avoid delays in project execution.
A major focus of the meeting was sustainable mine closure and rehabilitation. The Minister emphasized transforming reclaimed mining areas into long-term socio-economic assets for local communities. He proposed promoting the cultivation of fox nuts (makhana) and fisheries in abandoned mining zones under the Government’s One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative.
According to the Minister, this innovative approach can convert exhausted mining lands into productive agricultural and aquacultural hubs, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and economic support for people residing in mining regions.
In a significant development during the meeting, CMPDIL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MECL to strengthen cooperation in coal and mineral exploration activities across the country. The agreement aims to facilitate collaborative exploration of both energy and non-energy minerals.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Satish Chandra Dubey and senior officials from both organisations. The partnership is expected to enhance India’s national inventory of coal and minerals and support the development of new mining projects.
Officials stated that the collaboration aligns with the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening India’s mineral exploration capabilities and promoting self-reliance in the mining and mineral sector.
