Punjab News:Punjab To Begin Potash Exploration By April-End Or First Week Of May 2027; Centre Approves 35 Boreholes, State To Drill Five More: Barinder Goyal
Punjab News:Punjab To Begin Potash Exploration By April-End Or First Week Of May 2027; Centre Approves 35 Boreholes, State To Drill Five More: Barinder Goyal
*Punjab Secured 1st Rank In Centre’s Mining Reform Assessment For 2025 & Received ₹200 Crore Incentive: Barinder Goyal*
*Potash Exploration Will Strengthen India’s Mineral Security, Reduce Import Dependence & Open New Avenues For Investment: Barinder Goyal*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed To Unlocking Punjab’s Mineral Potential Through Scientific Exploration & Mining Reforms: Barinder Goyal*
*Union Coal & Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy Assures Full Cooperation In Resolving Punjab’s Mining-Related Concerns*
*Punjab Seeks Early NMET Sanctions For Potash Exploration Blocks And Continued Incentives Under Mining Reforms*
Punjab is poised to enter a new era of mineral exploration, with potash exploration expected to commence by the end of April or the first week of May 2027. The Centre has approved 35 boreholes in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts, while the Punjab Government will drill five additional boreholes, taking the ongoing programme to 40.
Announcing this at a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the Bhagwant Mann Government has consistently pursued the matter with the Centre to unlock Punjab’s untapped mineral potential and strengthen India’s self-reliance in critical minerals.
Sharing the outcome of the two-day National Mining Ministers’ Conference held in Goa on November 5 and 6 under the chairmanship of Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, the Mines and Geology Minister said, “Punjab firmly presented its case on potash exploration and other state-specific mining issues at the national conference. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy directed senior officials to accord top priority to Punjab’s proposals and assured full cooperation in expediting the exploration process. This is a significant step towards unlocking Punjab’s mineral potential and strengthening the country’s mineral security.”
Highlighting the neglect of potash exploration by successive governments, he said, “Potash deposits in parts of Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib were discovered as far back as 1989, but successive governments failed to undertake any sustained exploration work. Only a handful of boreholes were drilled over the years, including one during 2018-19 and eight during 2022-23. The Bhagwant Mann Government has taken up this matter seriously and is ensuring that exploration moves forward in a systematic and time-bound manner.”
Explaining the importance of the ongoing exercise, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Drilling boreholes is essential to ascertain the depth, quantity, quality and geological characteristics of potash deposits. Potash is a critical mineral for which India has almost 100 per cent import dependency. Domestic exploration is therefore vital to reducing our dependence on imports and strengthening the country’s mineral security.”
Detailing the progress achieved following Punjab’s repeated interventions, he said, “Following our persistent efforts and repeated representations at national-level meetings, the Union Government has approved 35 boreholes in Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts. Of these, 20 are being drilled by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), while 15 are being undertaken by Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL). The Punjab Government will drill five additional boreholes, taking the ongoing programme to 40. Some boreholes have already been completed, while work on the others is progressing.”
He further said, “Reports from the ongoing drilling activities are expected by February 2027. This will pave the way for potash exploration to commence by the end of April or the first week of May next year. The state has also planned 16 additional boreholes for 2026-27 with the approval of the Central Government, demonstrating our commitment to taking mineral exploration forward.”
Emphasising the state’s preparedness to support scientific exploration, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Punjab is also strengthening its institutional and scientific infrastructure to facilitate this exercise. A dedicated potash and heavy metals testing laboratory is being established in Mohali, and the necessary preparations have already been completed. We are ensuring that the state has the required scientific capabilities to support mineral exploration.”
*Punjab Seeks Early Sanctions For Potash Blocks And Upgradation Of Geological Surveys*
Barinder Kumar Goyal said Punjab had also taken up the issue of early sanctions for proposed potash exploration blocks and the upgradation of geological surveys with the Union Government. “Punjab has sought early sanctions from the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) for potash exploration blocks proposed for 2027-28 at Patrewala, Khippanwali, Khuranj and Badian. Early approval of these blocks will help us accelerate exploration and identify additional mineral resources in the state,” he said.
On the demand for upgrading geological surveys, he added, “We have requested the upgradation of geological exploration from G-3 to G-1 in Rajpura, Gidranwali and Shergarh. This is necessary to establish the commercial viability of mineral resources and make these areas attractive for prospective investors.”
Highlighting the potential of the Shergarh block, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The 46-square-kilometre Shergarh block in Punjab has failed to attract bidders in recent auctions. We have urged the Union Ministry to encourage companies exploring the contiguous Nagaur-Ganganagar basin of Rajasthan to also participate in bidding for Shergarh. This approach can help unlock significant exploration potential and attract investment into Punjab.”
Underlining the administrative measures taken by the state to facilitate exploration, he said, “To ensure that exploration activities are not held up due to administrative hurdles, the Punjab Government has established a State-Level Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, along with a Joint Working Group. These mechanisms will address land clearance issues and ensure smooth operations for survey teams. The Union Ministry of Mines has also assured support in expediting geological exploration and block auctions in Punjab.”
Punjab Seeks Continuation Of Mining Reform Incentives Under Revised SASCI Framework
Highlighting Punjab’s achievements in mining reforms, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “Over the past year, Punjab has undertaken significant reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability and enforcement in the mining sector. These include integration of weighbridges, establishment of check posts, development of digital portals to monitor illegal mining and installation of CCTV cameras. These measures have strengthened monitoring and helped improve the overall functioning of the mining sector.”
He added, “Punjab secured the first rank in the relevant category under the Centre’s mining reform assessment for 2025 and received an incentive of ₹200 crore from the Union Ministry of Mines. This recognition reflects the commitment and hard work of the state government in implementing meaningful mining reforms.”
However, raising concerns over the revised eligibility criteria under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for 2026-27, he said, “The revised eligibility criteria have clubbed major and minor minerals together, whereas these two categories were assessed separately earlier. Punjab primarily deals with minor minerals and does not have major minerals in the relevant category. We have therefore requested the Union Government to either retain the previous assessment framework or assess Punjab’s performance separately so that the state does not suffer despite its outstanding reform performance.”
Sharing the response received from the Union Government, he said, “Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has entrusted Additional Secretary Dr. Veena Kumari Dermal with examining Punjab’s concerns. She has assured us that the state will not face any injustice and acknowledged the exceptional nature of the reforms undertaken by Punjab, which helped it secure the first rank.”
Barinder Kumar Goyal expressed confidence that Punjab would continue to receive incentives for its mining reforms under the revised framework.
*Punjab Highlights Groundwater Conservation Achievements At National Conference*
The Mines and Geology Minister said Punjab had also showcased its achievements in groundwater conservation at the national conference. “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab has made significant progress in groundwater conservation, with water levels rising by 2 to 4 metres at various locations. We presented these achievements before participating states at the national conference, where our efforts received appreciation from Mining Ministers and other participants,” he said.
Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to national food security and its expanding role in mineral exploration, he said, “Punjab has traditionally contributed immensely to the nation’s food security through agricultural production and surface-level mining of sand and gravel. The state contributes 47 per cent of India’s wheat and 21 per cent of its rice production. We are now preparing to expand our contribution by entering the field of subsurface mineral exploration, opening new avenues for economic growth and development.”
The Minister also informed that he had held a detailed meeting with senior officials of the Union Ministry of Mines to discuss Punjab’s potash exploration proposals, geological surveys, mining reforms and other state-specific concerns.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Veena Kumari Dermal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines; Dinesh Ganvir, Director General of Mines; and Yogendra Singh Bhamboo, Director (Technical), Ministry of Mines.
“Senior officials of the Union Ministry have assured full cooperation in resolving Punjab’s concerns and expediting the ongoing exploration activities. We will hold a follow-up meeting shortly in Chandigarh to ensure that the assurances given translate into concrete action within the stipulated timelines,” he said.
Concluding, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The cooperation extended by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and senior officials of the Ministry of Mines has given a significant push to Punjab’s potash exploration programme. We are confident that this initiative will unlock new opportunities for mineral development, attract investment, create economic opportunities and contribute significantly towards strengthening India’s self-reliance in critical minerals.”
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