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The 5th International Trade Fair and Seminar on Minerals, Metals, Metallurgy and Materials (MMMM 2004) was inaugurated here today by Steel Secretary, Smt. Binoo Sen. The theme of the seminar is "Emerging Trends in Metals and Materials - Mining, Manufacture and Markets". The event is sponsored by the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) and co-sponsored by Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Coal, Mines and Minerals, Ministry of Heavy Industries and public enterprises, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Planning Commission and Ministry of Small Scale Industries. The exhibition is organised by the TAFCON group, a well-known international trade fair organisation.
In the inaugural speech, the Steel Secretary, Smt. Binoo Sen emphasised on judicious exploration of mineral resources and conservation of high grade ores. She stressed on utilisation of low and off grade materials generated during mining and processing. She asked the scientists and technocrats to increase the grade of the concentrate keeping in view the economic aspect. She said that more emphasis should be given on techno-economic viability so that the process can be commercialized. Smt. Sen said that at the firm level, this may involve clean technologies and R&D aimed at reducing the level of pollution.
She said resource conservation, development and adoption of cleaner technologies, waste minimization and pollution prevention should be the guiding principles for sustainable industrial growth. Recycling of metals should get top priority. Zero discharge process development should be encouraged by both the policy makers as well as by the industry. She said the ideas generated would furnish important inputs to chalk out strategies for the future growth.
Speaking on the occasion, the Mines Secretary, Shri C.D. Arha said that the Seminar and the exhibition will provide an excellent opportunity to interact with leading luminaries of the industry. The deliberations will focus on the manufacturing methods, new applications of metals and eco-friendly mining issues. He said, the Government offers a wide range of incentives to investors in India engaged in mining activities. The entire non-atomic and non-fuel mining sector is now open for private investment including foreign direct investment (FDI). The total reconnaissance permits granted have gone up to 174 covering a total area of 236666 sq. kms.
He referred to the Rs.4,092 crore second phase expansion of National Aluminium Company Limited which would increase its mining and production capacity substantially. Now all mineral concessions are granted by the State Governments. Shri Arha said, the Government have framed Off-shore Area Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002 to develop mineral resources in the territorial water, continental shelf, EEZ and other maritime zones of India.
The Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited, Shri V.S. Jain, President, IIM and CMD, Indian Rare Earths Limited, Dr. T.K. Mukherjee and the Chairman, Organising Committee of the Trade Fair, Shri B.D. Jethra also spoke on the occasion.
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