WGC Seeks Strategic Status for Gold

The World Gold Council (WGC) has urged the Central Government to classify gold as a strategic mineral to strengthen domestic production and reduce India's dependence on imports. The council said such a move would encourage gold mining and help improve the country's long term resource security.

During discussions with the Ministry of Mines, WGC India Regional CEO Sachin Jain proposed a single window clearance mechanism for gold mining projects. He suggested that mining approvals should be granted directly by the Central Government, eliminating the need for separate state-level permissions to speed up project implementation.