To generate mineral resources for economic development mining is necessary and in India it is considered to be an important economic activity which

contributes significantly to the growth and development of the country. Post independence, the mining sector was gradually transformed and now the sector is replete with modern facilities and procedures although minerals have been mined in the country since a long time. Due to the abundance of mineral resources in the diverse geographical regions of India, the country exports minerals of a wide range while those which are not found in sufficient quantities within its geographical boundaries are suitably imported. There are several techniques for mining which are put into practice in the country and a significant part of the country lies unexplored for mineral wealth. As demands grew and India began to industrialize, the idea of mining in the region which can be traced back to ancient times, underwent modernization alongside the rest of the world especially in post independent India. When India began to liberalize, the economic reforms of 1991 and the National Mining Policy of 1993 propelled the growth of the mining sector. Metallic and non-metallic types of minerals both form the range of minerals in India. The metallic minerals comprise ferrous and non-ferrous minerals while the non metallic minerals comprise mineral fuels, precious stones, among others. D.R. Khullar, the renowned expert in the realms of minerals and mining holds that mining in India depends on over 3100 mines, out of which over 550 are fuel mines, over 560 are mines for metals, and over 1970 are mines for extraction of nonmetals. There are different opinions though on the estimated figure. The number given by Mr S.N. Padhi, another expert in the same field is: 'about 600 coal mines, 35 oil projects and 6000 metalliferous mines of various capacities employing over one million persons on a daily average basis. There are two major kinds of operations. Both open cast mining and underground mining operations are carried out and drilling/pumping is undertaken for extracting liquid or gaseous fuels. The country produces and utilizes around 100 minerals, which are an important source for benefiting the economy through export as well as satisfying domestic needs. Among minerals, India also exports iron ore, titanium, manganese, bauxite, granite, and imports cobalt, mercury, graphite etc.