The production of Manganese Ore India Ltd (MOIL) is expected to double to 1 lakh tonnes a year following the inauguration of a new vertical shaft at its Mansar mine. Union Minister of Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar, asked the mining industry to be ready to accept new challenges as he inaugurated the shaft yesterday at Mansar mine, about 50 kms from here. Mining with value addition has a great potential in enhancing revenue in the sector, he said.

Tomar also said that every year the country is witnessing an addition of one crore unemployed people and it is a big challenge to provide jobs to the youth. He stressed upon the need to develop skills among the youth that would make them employable. The minister also said that instead of waiting for foreign investments for the 'Make in India' concept, we must first take up an initiative here.

Tomar also appreciated the efforts of MOIL in revenue and employment generation. On the occasion, Union Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said that 75 per cent of Maharashtra's mineral reserves are in Vidarbha and suggested to make Nagpur/ Vidarbha as the largest supplier of minerals for the country and the world. He also insisted on creating employment opportunities through mines for the people of the region.

With the new vertical shaft, the production from Mansar mine will double and employment opportunities for 300 to 400 people of the area will be created, he said. With the starting of the Parsoda mines in next three months, there will also be employment avenues for another 400 people, Gadkari said, adding that mine-related industries, like processing of manganese, must also be started in Vidarbha to increase employment opportunities. Maharashtra's New and Renewable Energy Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, who is the Guardian Minister of Nagpur district, also spoke on the occasion.

Ramtek MP Kripal Tumane and MOIL Chairman and Managing Director G P Kundargi were present at the inauguration.

• [Editor:Sophie]