Chhattisgarh has approved 45 mineral exploration projects for 2026-27, including areas containing lithium, graphite, rare earth elements and other critical minerals, as the state seeks to expand its mineral resource base and accelerate exploration in southern Bastar.
The projects were approved during the 26th meeting of the State Geological Programming Board (SGPB), chaired by Mineral Resources Department Secretary P Dayanand. Officials from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), state government and mining sector participated in the meeting.
Of the 45 approved projects, 35 will focus on critical and strategic minerals, while four will explore deep-seated mineral deposits and six will cover bulk minerals. The GSI’s Raipur unit will undertake 25 of these projects.
The Directorate of Geology and Mining has also finalised 11 exploration proposals for the current financial year. These include projects involving graphite, limestone, iron ore, glauconite, rare earth elements, rare metals, bauxite and aluminous laterite.
The exploration programme will also cover lithium and tin-tantalum-niobium deposits, which are considered important for strategic industries and emerging technologies.
Officials said exploration carried out during 2025-26 helped establish resources of around 2,590 million tonnes of limestone and 32.26 million tonnes of iron ore in the state.
Special Secretary and Director of Geology and Mining Rajat Bansal described the findings as an important achievement in strengthening mineral exploration in Chhattisgarh.
Four projects approved during 2025-26 will continue in the current financial year, while nine projects sanctioned under the National Programme for Exploration and Augmentation (NPEA) will also remain operational.
The state government is also pushing for faster exploration in southern Bastar and greater use of advanced technologies to identify mineral deposits located deep underground.
According to officials, Chhattisgarh earned around ₹16,738 crore through mining royalties and other revenue during 2025-26.
During the meeting, the Geological Survey of India also handed over mineral resource maps covering five districts to the state Mineral Resources Department. Representatives from several central and state mining and research organisations attended the meeting.
