Industry minister aims to boost production of top-quality minerals

Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said he has told the Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM) to prepare operational plans regarding the production and procurement of high-quality minerals and metals to be used in high-technology industries as well as scientific research and development.
“DPIM’s main responsibility will be to procure raw materials, from either natural sources or by recycling, for the industry sector,” the minister said. “Top quality minerals are vital to industrial advancement, research and development as well as technology transfer to drive the economy.”
Suriya added that DPIM’s action plan should focus on industries and areas that need additional R&D such as developing high-quality fibre from basalt rocks to substitute asbestos and improving the quality of limestone in the cement industry.
“Another important policy is to facilitate entrepreneurs,” Suriya said. “The ministry aims to improve the licence-approval process to ensure that private operators can start their projects on schedule.”
As for seeking a licence to mine in areas supervised by the Agricultural Land Reform Office, which may cause issues of overlapping jurisdictions, Suriya said his ministry will coordinate with the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to find a suitable solution.