In addition to its efforts in West Bengal, GSI spearheads the exploration of natural hydrogen reserves in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Marking a first for India, this initiative is being carried out in collaboration with IIT (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad. Saha emphasized that this breakthrough could significantly contribute to India’s transition toward sustainable, low-carbon, clean energy technology.
The 175-year-old agency is engaged in approximately 500 mineral exploration projects nationwide, with a budget of ₹4,000 crore for these initiatives. Notably, the exploration for gold is being conducted in the Purulia-Bankura belt, an area adjoining Jharkhand.
Despite the national push for mineral block auctions, West Bengal has yet to see any such auctions take place, Saha noted. Across the country, 25 mineral-rich blocks have been auctioned recently.
Looking ahead, GSI has outlined an ambitious roadmap with around 1,200 projects dedicated to critical mineral exploration between the financial years 2024-25 and 2030-31. Of these, 195 projects are currently in execution for the 2024-25 fiscal year, while 227 projects are planned for 2025-26.
On the offshore front, GSI has submitted 35 Geological Memorandum blocks for auctioning to the Ministry of Mines. These include 16 blocks for heavy mineral deposits, nine for construction sand, three for lime mud, and seven for polymetallic crust and nodules.
The agency also leverages cutting-edge technology, integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) into mineral exploration and geoscience data analysis. Through the Mineral Prospectivity Mapping (MPM) programme, GSI employs AI-driven algorithms to analyze geological datasets and identify potential mineral-rich zones.
Saha highlighted that GSI has already executed seven AI/ML-driven projects across multiple states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
These developments position India on a progressive path in mineral exploration, with technological advancements and sustainable energy solutions at the forefront of GSI’s initiatives.
