New Delhi: The Ministry of Mines, Government of India hosted a Special Webinar on April 10 aimed at Start-ups, MSMEs, and Individual Innovators within the Mining & Metallurgical sector. The objective was to explore avenues for advancing research and innovation in mining and mineral processing. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology, inaugurated the webinar, while the keynote address was delivered by Shri VL Kantha Rao, Secretary Mines.
The Ministry of Mines initiated the “Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs in mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, and recycling sector (S&T-PRISM)” in November 2023. This initiative aims to fund research and innovation in start-ups and MSMEs operating in the mineral sector, focusing on applied and sustainable aspects of mining and industrial applications. It is anticipated that this initiative will bridge the gap between R&D and commercialization, fostering an ecosystem for a comprehensive value chain in the mining and mineral sector.
Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines, is the implementing agency for S&T – PRISM.
JNARDDC has invited fresh proposals under the S&T-PRISM program, with a deadline of April 30th, 2024. Preference will be given to Start-ups/MSMEs from the North East region and women-led enterprises.
The webinar witnessed the participation of over 200 attendees, including Start-ups, Experts, and Industry representatives. Discussions during the webinar revolved around the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in mining and mineral processing. Dr. Anupam Agnihotri, Director of JNARDDC, provided insights into the functioning and guidelines of S&T-PRISM. Amitesh Sinha, Head of Corporate Venture Capital & Vedanta Spark Initiatives, and Shri Rohit Pathak, CEO & Business Head of Birla Copper, Aditya Birla Group, shared their experiences in dealing with startups in the Mining Sector. Prof. Asim Tewari, a Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, briefed on the role of artificial intelligence in the Mining Sector.
