###United Federation of Mineral Producers Presents a Fact-Based Perspective on State Development
Aravalli Largely Protected; Regulated Mining Limited to Just 1% Area, Says Federation
The United Federation of Mineral Producers (UFMP) has presented a data-driven and balanced viewpoint on issues related to the Aravalli Hills and ranges, emphasizing that environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand through scientific and lawful mining practices.
Addressing a press conference in Udaipur, the Federation stated that even today a vast majority of the Aravalli region remains untouched. Mining activities are confined to merely around 1 percent of the total Aravalli area, and that too under regulatory frameworks, contributing significantly to national progress, GDP growth, and employment generation. Despite this limited footprint, the mining sector continues to be disproportionately targeted across the country, the organization noted.
Speaking at the conference, UFMP patron Arvind Singhal, Chief Advisor J.P. Agrawal, former CEO of Hindustan Zinc Limited Akhilesh Joshi, President Gurpreet Singh Soni, Secretary Dr. Hitanshu Kaushal, and Senior Vice President Kejar Ali Kurabadwala clarified that the Federation is firmly opposed to illegal mining, unauthorized hill cutting, and the construction of illegal resorts and hotels. They stressed that while illegal activities must be curbed, legal and scientific mining should not be targeted under the same pretext.
“The core objective of UFMP is to promote lawful, scientific, and environmentally responsible mining,” the speakers said, adding that such an approach ensures continuity of legitimate mining operations while safeguarding ecological balance, environmental protection, and economic interests.
UFMP President Gurpreet Singh Soni referred to the Supreme Court’s order dated 20 November 2025, which permitted continuation of mining activities compliant with law. However, the subsequent order of 29 December 2025, which stayed the earlier decision, has once again created uncertainty in the mining sector. Even after the hearing on 21 January 2026, lack of clarity regarding renewal and extension of leases has become a matter of concern for industry, employment, and state revenue.
Highlighting Rajasthan’s mineral wealth, Soni said the state is among India’s most mineral-rich regions, producing 58 types of minerals, while only 0.68 percent of its total geographical area is under mining. Rajasthan is a leading producer of lead, zinc, wollastonite, selenite, calcite, soapstone, dolomite, marble, granite, and gypsum, and also a major producer of copper, silver, lignite, limestone, and iron ore. Additionally, the state holds promising potential for strategic minerals such as gold, potash, rare earth elements, tungsten, and lithium, which are crucial for India’s self-reliance.
Presenting detailed data on the Aravalli region, the Federation stated that across 20 districts, the total area is 1,29,766 sq km, of which mining activities are limited to just 1,306.18 sq km (about 1.007 percent). Nearly 99 percent of the area remains unaffected by mining, yet the economic contribution is substantial.
In 2024-25, the mining sector generated ₹9,228.21 crore in revenue for the state, including royalty, DMFT, taxes, and other receipts, of which ₹6,494.68 crore (70.38 percent) came from the Aravalli region. Similarly, in 2025-26 (up to December), total revenue stood at ₹6,857.01 crore, with ₹4,809.50 crore (70.14 percent) contributed by the Aravalli belt. The mining sector contributed approximately 3.4 percent to Rajasthan’s GDP in 2023-24 and currently provides direct and indirect employment to around 35 lakh people, with scope for further growth.
Former HZL CEO Akhilesh Joshi remarked, “No country can progress without mining. The benefits far outweigh the losses when mining is carried out responsibly.”
UFMP underlined that environmental conservation and economic growth are not contradictory but complementary goals. Through scientific mining, afforestation, mine reclamation, modern technology, and strict regulatory compliance, sustainable development is achievable. The Federation suggested that considering the current mining footprint of just over 1 percent, controlled and scientific mining may be permitted up to a maximum of 4 percent of the Aravalli area, ensuring continuity of employment, state revenue, industrial output, and MSME operations, while maintaining environmental safeguards.
The organization concluded that a fact-based, data-driven, and balanced policy is essential for Rajasthan’s overall development, industrial progress, employment generation, and national mineral security. By adopting region-specific, scientifically informed policies aligned with geological realities, both environmental protection and sustainable mining can advance together, delivering long-term benefits to the state and the nation.
The press conference was conducted by Secretary Dr. Hitanshu Kaushal. Several speakers reiterated that mining is the backbone of Rajasthan’s economy and noted that many minerals found in the state are globally rare and location-specific, making it imperative that policies are framed on scientific facts rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Among those present were Mahesh Mantri, Harish Arora, Saurabh Mahesh Mantri, Gaurav Rathore, Shyam Singh, Arjun Jain, Ram Upadhyay, Surendra Singh Rajpurohit, Nanalal Sardul, and members from various districts and mining and industrial organizations.
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