Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Fadnavis Envisions Vidarbha as Mining and Green Steel Hub
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Vidarbha could become an important mining and steel-producing region.
He highlighted iron ore reserves in Gadchiroli.
He said large investments and new steel plants are being developed there.
Four planned coal-gasification projects have also been awarded to Vidarbha.
Other districts, including Chandrapur, Bhandara, Nagpur, Gondia, and Yavatmal, could join this industrial growth.
Western Coalfields Limited is looking beyond coal and studying critical minerals and rare earth elements.
Experts said technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, sensors, and automation could make mining safer and more efficient.
They also said development must protect the environment and conserve water.
The discussions took place at a national mining convention in Nagpur.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Vidarbha could become a major engine of India’s economic growth through mining.
About Rs 5 lakh crore in investment and nearly 50 MTPA of steel capacity are being developed in the region, according to Fadnavis.
Four of eight proposed coal-gasification projects under a new national mission have been awarded to Vidarbha.
Western Coalfields Limited has identified 18 critical minerals and rare earth elements across 12 mines.
Speakers called for mining growth supported by technology, worker safety, environmental sustainability, training, and mine-closure planning.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, mining engineers, The Institution of Engineers (India), and Western Coalfields Limited officials.
- What
- A national mining convention examined Vidarbha’s potential to develop mining, green steel, coal gasification, and critical-mineral industries.
- When
- The event was inaugurated on Friday and is scheduled as a two-day convention.
- Where
- Nagpur, Maharashtra, with the proposed industrial ecosystem extending across Vidarbha districts including Gadchiroli.
- Why
- Organisers aimed to discuss how mining can support India’s development while addressing technology, sustainability, safety, critical minerals, and mine closure.
- Proposed regional investment
- Approximately Rs 5 lakh crore
- Potential steel capacity
- Nearly 50 million tonnes per annum
- Coal-gasification projects
- Four of eight proposed national-mission projects awarded to Vidarbha
- Critical minerals identified
- 18 critical minerals and rare earth elements across 12 Western Coalfields Limited mines
- Convention
- 36th National Convention of Mining Engineers
- Exhibition
- A 25-stall exhibition on mining-sector research and technology
- Mining-engineer network
- The Institution of Engineers (India) has more than 4,000 mining engineers nationwide, including nearly 300 in Nagpur