JAIPUR: Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Limited in association with Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Jaipur, organized a consultative meeting cum special display of the world-famous Kashmir Blue Sapphire at GJEPC Convention Centre, Jaipur.
Secretary of Mining, Dr. Rashmi Singh, was the guest of honour on the occasion while Director-Geology and Mining, Rakesh Magotra, Managing Director, J&K Minerals Limited, Vikram Gupta among other officers of the Corporation attended the event.
While speaking on the occasion, Dr Rashmi Singh said that the Government of J&K is progressively working towards the exploration of various minerals in the UT. In this direction, the Paddar Sapphire mines are currently being explored by MECL (Govt. of India PSU). She added that all possible steps are being taken up by the Government for commercial exploration and exploitation of rare earth elements like Lithium, etc.
The meeting was attended by a large gathering of members associated with the gemstone trade.
Convener-CGS Panel, GJEPC, Mahendra Agarwal, briefed that the Gem and Jewellery sector contributes around 7% of the GDP of India and thus has established itself as an important economic sector of the country. GJEPC also expressed its willingness to have further collaboration with the J&K Government for conducting such an awareness programme to attract investment in J&K.
The audience were briefed about the history of sapphire exploration and brief details about the upcoming global e-auction, modus operandi for participation in e-auction etc. A brief PPT was also presented, in this regard, giving all the information regarding the e-auction of Sapphire to the members.
The members examined the quality of some sample lots of rough sapphire brought along by the J&K Minerals Ltd officials. Such an exhibition of sapphire not only raised awareness among the prospective buyers of sapphire but also helped in wider publicity, networking, and building databases, which will help in greater marketability of sapphire/corundum in ensuing e-auction. The database of people willing to buy the Sapphire stones was also maintained by the corporation.
