Bhopal : Secretary Mineral Resources and chairman of State Geological Programme Board Shri S.K. Mishra has said that private entrepreneurs are being promoted to undertake survey related to exploration of new minerals in the state. He said that agencies connected with exploration and excavation of minerals should work with better coordination. He called for proper certification of mineral deposits after due verification so that more mineral-based industries can be set up in the state. Shri Mishra was chairing the 45th meeting of the State Geology Programme Board here today. The meeting discussed the mineral exploration works during last and this year. Shri Mishra said that Madhya Pradesh is rich in minerals. Private entrepreneurs are being promoted for the work of exploration of mineral beds as per the State Government’s policy. He said that even private companies are obtaining reconnaissance permits and undertaking work with big budget and modern technique. Particularly, diamonds and precious metals have been explored by Rio Tinto and Messrs Geo Mysore. He informed that so far, 74 reconnaissance permits have been issued in the state whose achievements are laudable. A total of 16 reconnaissance permits were sanctioned during the last financial year 2010-11. Secretary Minerals informed that state’s revenue has increased due to mineral production. During the year 2010-11, revenue to the tune of 2121.49 crore was received, which was 33 per cent more than the last year. During the last three years, mineral revenue of the state has risen by 89 percent. Director Geology and Mining Shri R.K. Sharma gave information about geological survey work undertaken in 13008.93 square kilometre area in various districts of the state. Drilling work was undertaken in 5562.45 square kilometre area for preliminary survey of limestone, dolomite and coal. Dolomite’s 12.74 metric tonne deposits and limestone’s 25 metric tonne deposits have been identified in Chhatarpur district. Exploration for coal was undertaken at Rajnagar and Govinda areas of Anuppur district. Work of preparing mineral schedule was undertaken in Sagar, Panna and Shajapur districts.