Ahmedabad, Sept 20: Gujarat government today announced its 'first-ever' policy on 'minerals' that provides for private participation in mineral exploration and targets revenue generation of Rs 500 crore in next five years. "This is for the first time that a mineral policy is being formed since the inception of Gujarat. The mineral revenue of Rs 175 crore is expected to increase to Rs 500 crore in the next five years," Minister of State for Industries Anil Patel told reporters here.

Patel said as per the policy, private participation would be promoted by outsourcing mineral exploration and in the next five years, an annual growth rate of 10 per cent is being envisaged with total 61,024 hectares of area to be brought under mining.

It is also planned to achieve 935 lakh metric tons of mineral production in the next five years, he added.

In a bid to create local employment opportunities, it is also planned to set up 'artisan parks' in the temple-town of Ambaji and Dhrangadhra.

The park, Patel said, will encourage small artisans by providing infrastructure, training in skills, financial assistance and tools under schemes of cottage and industries and network of marketing.

Degree courses in mining engineering would also be introduced at Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Morbi engineering colleges and postgraduate course in geology would be introduced at Gujarat University, Patel added.
Bureau Report