**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1764, addressed on July 30, 2025, by Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Ministry of Mines provided details regarding the National Mineral Exploration Trust's (NMET) support for mineral exploration activities.
During the financial year 2024-25, NMET supported 128 mineral exploration (ME) projects, with 72 specifically targeting critical minerals. The total sanctioned cost for these 128 projects was ₹312.87 Crore, with ₹110.42 Crore disbursed. Of these, projects in Odisha received ₹14.12 Crore in sanctioned funds and ₹5.51 Crore disbursed for 8 projects (6 of which were critical mineral projects with ₹10.53 Crore sanctioned and ₹4.07 Crore disbursed), while Chhattisgarh received ₹4.63 Crore in sanctioned funds and ₹1.01 Crore disbursed for 4 projects (2 of which were critical mineral projects with ₹2.10 Crore sanctioned and ₹0.46 Crore disbursed).
NMET has provided financial assistance to projects undertaken by Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs). Since the launch of the NPEA scheme in FY 2022-23, NMET has funded projects as follows: In FY 2022-23, 3 projects were funded with a total sanctioned cost of ₹4.59 Crore and ₹3.12 Crore disbursed. In FY 2023-24, 23 projects were funded with a total sanctioned cost of ₹27.58 Crore and ₹12.16 Crore disbursed. In FY 2024-25, 46 projects were funded with a total sanctioned cost of ₹90.36 Crore and ₹14.99 Crore disbursed. In FY 2025-26, 7 projects have been funded with a total sanctioned cost of ₹12.80 Crore and ₹0 disbursed to date.
As of July 30, 2025, NMET had not received any mineral exploration proposals for precious stones in the Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh. Exploration projects are initiated based on the analysis of available geoscience data.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mineral Exploration Trust: A trust (NMET) that supports mineral exploration activities in India.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India where mineral exploration activities are being supported by NMET.
Odisha: A state in India where mineral exploration activities are being supported by NMET.
Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh: A district in Chhattisgarh where exploration activity has been undertaken to assess the availability of precious stones
SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY: The Minister of Coal and Mines who answered the question in Lok Sabha.
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding NMET was raised.
Notified Private Exploration Agencies: Private agencies (NPEAs) that receive funding from NMET for mineral exploration projects.
Ministry of Mines: The government ministry responsible for overseeing mineral exploration and mining activities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1764
ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
NATIONAL MINERAL EXPLORATION TRUST
†1764. SHRI RADHESHYAM RATHIYA:
SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY:
SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) has supported
mineral exploration activities particularly in critical minerals in the country including
Chhattisgarh and Odisha during the last one year;
(b) whether the NMET has provided financial assistance to projects undertaken by
private exploration agencies;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any exploration activity has been undertaken to assess the availability of
precious stones in Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh;
(e) if not, whether any exploration activities are proposed to be undertaken there in
future; and
(f) if so, the outline thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a): NMET has supported 128 Mineral Exploration (ME) projects out of which 72
Mineral Exploration (ME) projects are for critical minerals during 2024-25. The details
of approved projects by NMET during Financial Year 2024-25 is given in Annexure-I.
(b): Yes
(c): The details of NMET funded projects to NPEAs is given in Annexure -II:
(d) to (f): No mineral exploration proposal has been received for precious stones in
Gariyaband district of Chhattisgarh for NMET funding. Exploration projects are taken
up in an area on the basis of analysis of available geoscience data from time to time.
*****Annexure- I
The details of approved projects by NMET during Financial Year 2024-25
Total Mineral Exploration Critical Mineral Projects
(ME) Projects for FY 2024-25 for FY 2024-25
Total No. Total Total Total No. Total Total
of Project sanctione Disburse of Project sanctione Disburse
s d amount d Cost s d amount d Cost
(₹ in Cr.) (₹ in Cr.)
(₹ in Cr.) (₹ in Cr.)
Whole of India 128 312.87 110.42 72 201 69.91
Odisha 8 14.12 5.51 6 10.53 4.07
Chhattisgarh 4 4.63 1.01 2 2.10 0.46
Annexure- II
The details of NMET funded projects to NPEAs
Financial Total Mineral Exploration (ME) Projects for FY 2024-25
Year
Total No. Total sanctioned amount (₹ Total Disbursed
of Projects in Cr.) Cost
(₹ in Cr.)
2022-23 03 4.59 3.12
2023-24 23 27.58 12.16
2024-25 46 90.36 14.99
2025-26 07 12.80 0
(till date)
# The scheme for Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs) was launched
in FY 2022-23.