In a bid to attract private investments including foreign direct investment into the business of mineral exploration, the government cleared a new National Mineral Exploration Policy (NEMP). It policy allows for making the basic geoscience data, a pre-requisite for investments in the sector, to be made publicly available

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP). The NMEP primarily aims at accelerating the exploration activity in the country through enhanced participation of the private sector. There is a need for comprehensive mineral exploration of the country to uncover its full mineral potential so as to put the nation's mineral resources (non-fuel and non-coal) to best use and thereby maximize sectoral contribution to the Indian economy. The policy emphasizes on making available baseline geoscientific data of world standards in the public domain, quality research in a public-private partnership, special initiatives for search of deep-seated and concealed deposits, quick aerogeophysical surveys of the country, and creation of a dedicated geoscience database etc.