Govt invites Aus firms to partner in developing mining sector

Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today invited Australian companies to partner with their Indian counterparts to develop the domestic mining and exploration sector.
Tomar in his inaugural address at the Asia Pacific International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) 2015 in Sydney today said that India and Australia can forge mutually beneficial relationships, an official statement said.
The Minister is leading a delegation, comprising heads of mining organisations and ministry officials to AIMEX 2015 -- the world's largest mining exhibition, it added.
"The total trade between India and Australia in 2013-14 was to the tune of 15 billion Australian dollars. We are hopeful that by forging mutually beneficial alliances, India will go on to feature in the top ten trade partners of Australia," the statement quoted the Minister as saying.

India Day event was organised at the four-day exhibition with the objective of inviting proactive partnership of miners and explorers from across the world in the Indian mining industry, the statement said.
Geo Science Australia (GSA) and its Indian counterpart, Geological Survey of India (GSI) today signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) for 'Cooperation to develop short term and medium term roadmap for GSI in technology infusion, capacity building and efficiency improvement', it stated.

Under the collaboration, GSA will work closely with GSI to help it attain global benchmarks in exploration work. Acting CEO of GSA James Johnson and GSI Director-General Harbans Singh exchanged the MoU document in the presence of Tomar.

India's High Commissioner in Australia Navdeep Suri was also present at the inaugural event.
Tomar also launched an e-book on exploration, which can serve as a detailed guidebook for investors looking at India.
Presentations were also made by chiefs and senior representatives of NMDC, Coal India, MECL, NALCO, MOIL, HCL and Rio Tinto.
Together, 'Team India' presented the prospects of investment and partnership to a galaxy of participants attending AIMEX 2015, the statement said.
The Minister also inaugurated the Indian pavilion, which showcases the 'Make in India' campaign of the present government.