Centre, Assam to form panel for ways to increase mining

Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and decided to form a committee to work on increasing exploration activities in the Northeastern state.
"To give further impetus to mineral exploration in Assam, the Chief Minister agreed to the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Mines (Assam) and comprising officials from Geological Survey of India and Government of India," the Mines Ministry said in a statement.
The committee will work to expedite and intensify exploration activities in Assam, it added.
The minister also offered to take up detailed exploration of minerals in the state for development of industry in this area. It is noteworthy that promising leads of rare earth minerals have been identified in parts of lower Assam, the statement said.

Tomar also discussed issues regarding development of Assam and other North-East areas in the steel and mines sector in Guwahati. He was accompanied by senior officials from Ministry of Steel and Mines, it added.
"After the meeting, Tomar announced setting up of a stocking facility at Silchar for SAIL products. This facility of Consignment Agent in Silchar shall improve supply of steel to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and Southern districts of Assam," the statement said.