Supply Surge: Punjab Operationalizes 200 New Mining Sites

The Punjab government is taking steps to curb illegal mining by operationalising 200 newly identified mining sites and permitting extraction at 290 locations owned by crusher operators and private landowners across the state. The move is aimed at boosting the supply of minor minerals such as sand and gravel while ensuring that extraction is carried out through legal and regulated channels.

Under the initiative, the government is preparing the 200 identified sites for operations, while private landowners will be allowed to mine minor minerals on their land after paying the requisite royalty to the state. This approach is expected to significantly improve the availability of legally sourced construction materials.

A government official said that district survey reports are nearing completion, and mining activities on private land are likely to commence shortly. He added that once all sites become fully operational, the supply of legally mined minerals is expected to exceed demand, thereby helping to curb illegal mining. It was also noted that 29 mining sites were auctioned last year as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to regulate the sector.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.