Jaipur, May 20 -- Rajasthan is set to emerge as a major hub for critical and rare earth minerals, chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Tuesday, asserting that the state holds immense potential in the mining sector and is prioritising transparency, policy reform and infrastructure development to accelerate growth. Addressing a high-level meeting of the mines and coal department at the chief minister's residence in the presence of Union Mines and Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Sharma said Rajasthan is among the country's leading mineral-rich states, with 82 types of minerals found in the state and mining currently under way for 57 of them. "Rajasthan is emerging as a major hub for critical minerals and has the capacity to meet growing demand across sectors such as defence, energy, agriculture, solar and automobiles," he said. The chief minister directed officials to hold regular coordination meetings with the Centre on mining-related issues to ensure projects are completed within stipulated timelines. A major focus of the meeting was the strategically important Sivana Ring Complex, spread across nearly 725 sq km in Barmer and Balotra districts. Sharma said the region's Sivana granite deposits contain rare earth and heavy rare earth elements crucial for modern technology and clean-energy sectors. Calling the project nationally significant, he instructed officials to appoint a nodal officer for effective implementation of the Sivana Ring Complex project and directed district collectors and mining department officials to coordinate closely with central authorities to fast-track work. Sharma also urged the Centre to share details of sites identified and explored by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in Rajasthan so that such land is protected from diversion for other uses. He emphasised speeding up environment clearances and ensuring production begins quickly in mineral blocks that have already been auctioned. He further directed mining officials to prepare structured action plans, using regular review meetings to avoid delays and duplication in future mining activities. He said Rajasthan possesses vast reserves of critical minerals capable of meeting rising demand from sectors including defence, energy, agriculture, solar power and automobiles. Praising the Rajasthan government's "pro-active approach", Reddy said the state was rapidly emerging as a key mining destination because of scientific mineral extraction, investor-friendly policies and transparent governance. The meeting also discussed energy-sector issues, including the Coal India-RVUNL joint venture, solar energy projects, auction of critical mineral blocks, DMF funds, environmental and forest clearances, operationalisation of mineral blocks and ongoing geological exploration activities in the state. Chief secretary for mines and petroleum Aparna Arora gave a presentation on state policies related to mining and petroleum and on issues requiring coordination with the Centre....