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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Critical minerals are a strategic asset – India must not fall behind
Critical minerals are emerging as the defining geoeconomic axis of the 21st century. These are no longer peripheral to industrial development but lie at the heart of advanced manufacturing, clean energy systems, strategic technologies and national security. Energy transition, digitalisation and the pursuit of supply chain resilience are rapidly amplifying the demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and rare earth elements. Their availability and accessibility will determine the pace and quality of growth for all major economies. Unlike fossil fuels, critical minerals are characterised by high geographical concentration, limited transparency and complex value chains. China dominates the midstream processing stage for most key minerals, accounting for over 90 per cent of rare earth refining, 70 per cent of cobalt processing and close to 60 per cent of lithium conversion capacity. These are not incidental advantages but outcomes of decades of strategic investment, policy coherence and state-backed industrial planning. With China 20 years ahead in the supply chain race, India cannot afford to anchor its future energy, mobility or technology aspirations on supply chains that remain opaque, concentrated and subject to political risk. In 2022, the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals based on their strategic importance to clean energy and future technologies, high import dependence, domestic resource constraints and relevance for agricultural and industrial needs. In January, the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was announced to secure critical mineral supply chains by ensuring mineral availability. Its success will rest on how effectively it translates intent into action. Currently, India is 100 per cent import dependent for lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements and silicon. At the same time, India's domestic resource base for critical minerals is underdeveloped. The Geological Survey of India has ramped up exploration, with 195 projects underway over the past year and another 227 approved for the upcoming year. In response to the inclusion of critical minerals in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, the government launched four tranches of auctions for critical mineral blocks last year, and a fifth was concluded in January 2025. However, the auctions revealed persistent challenges. A large number of blocks were annulled as high capital costs, limited domestic processing capacity and a shortage of technically qualified bidders dampened participation. These outcomes underscore the need for policy refinement to attract credible investment and build industry confidence in the viability of critical mineral development. As India seeks to scale up domestic exploration, it must also confront a major structural limitation: Lack of sufficient capacity to refine and process minerals into battery-grade or component-ready materials. This midstream bottleneck risks locking the country into a dependence on foreign processors, especially for lithium, cobalt and rare earths. To address this, the NCMM plans to set up dedicated mineral processing zones with modern infrastructure. Within these, production incentives modelled on PLI schemes could be used to catalyse private investment into refining, separation and chemical conversion facilities. Amid growing concern over mineral security, recent export restrictions on rare earth elements by China have also exposed the vulnerability of India's automotive sector, with some firms already indicating potential production cuts. Rare earth magnets are essential to electric and internal combustion vehicles alike. To mitigate this risk, India must accelerate investments in independent supply chains, including targeted exploration, processing capacity and strategic partnerships. Given the demand intensity and India's current reserves, international engagement and friendshoring will be vital to the creation of a diversified and resilient supply chain. India has taken steps by joining the Mineral Security Partnership and initiating collaborations with Australia, Argentina and others. These partnerships signal a deeper alignment with global efforts to diversify supply chains away from China. India should leverage geopolitical platforms such as the Quad and G20 to secure further stable mineral trade relationships, promote joint ventures and facilitate best-practice sharing. Developing a critical mineral stockpiling framework will also be essential to buffer against supply disruptions and price volatility. These efforts must remain strategically aligned with broader foreign policy objectives. India must also build domestic self-sufficiency in critical minerals through more sustainable and circular approaches. Recycling offers a promising path to reduce import dependency. The recycling chain for batteries and electronics is fragmented and largely informal. Without investment in formal collection, dismantling and high-efficiency recovery, circularity will remain aspirational. India must also prioritise resource recovery by incentivising recyclers and by expanding formal infrastructure for waste collection. Sustainable mining practices and responsible sourcing of critical minerals are crucial. Several critical mineral reserves lie in tribal or ecologically sensitive areas where inadequate environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance has led to delays, protests and legal challenges. India must adopt comprehensive ESG frameworks in mining, incorporating community trust-building and third-party audit mechanisms. Strengthening community participation through local benefit-sharing and decision-making will be key to fostering enduring community trust and support for mining activities. Policymaking must be informed by rigorous, sector-specific assessments of future demand, supply and technological developments. India should periodically reassess its critical mineral list and adjust sourcing strategies in line with domestic and global shifts. The contest for critical minerals will shape the contours of future economic resilience and technological sovereignty. India has the market scale, industrial ambition and diplomatic leverage to lead. It must now ensure timely execution, sustained institutional support and a clear commitment to self-reliance, sustainability and global alignment. Kant is former G20 sherpa of India and former CEO of Niti Aayog and Chhina is a policy specialist — climate and energy
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Two houses partially collapse in Bhandup mudslide; no injuries
Amid heavy rainfall in the city over the past few days, a mudslide occurred at a residential pocket situated along the hilly terrain in Bhandup late Tuesday, leading to the partial collapse of two vacated houses. No injuries were reported, officials said. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) S ward office, the incident was reported at 7.32 pm near the Sai Niketan CHS in Bhandup West's Khindipada area. According to officials, the partially collapses houses situated along the hilly terrain were vacated and no injuries were reported. In a bid to prevent any untoward incident, the civic body vacated at least 3 – 4 nearby houses in the locality. Bhandup is among several pockets such as Ghatkopar and Vikhroli, which have been identified as landslide-sensitive areas, as per surveys conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The slopes of these hills have informal settlements inhabited by Lower Income Groups (LIG) and members from marginalised communities. On May 22 this year, the BMC had appealed to slum dwellers in these areas to relocate to safer locations. Directing residents to exercise precaution, civic officials also issued notices to vacate their homes along the slopes and migrate to safer pockets. This is the second house collapse incident in the city between Tuesday and Wednesday morning. According to the BMC, at least 11 incidents of tree collapses were also reported in 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Wednesday, of which the maximum cases (8) have been recorded in the western suburbs. Seven incidents of short circuit were also reported.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
India steps up global push for rare earth security amid China curbs
With China enforcing stringent controls on rare earth magnet exports, India has intensified its global outreach to safeguard the critical mineral supply chains, the government told Parliament on Wednesday. The government has initiated bilateral talks with Brazil and the Dominican Republic, and has also deepened engagement with multilateral platforms to build cooperation around rare earth elements and critical mineral security, Jitendra Singh, minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology, and the department of atomic energy, said. Apart from other portfolios, Singh also holds charge of the ministry of earth sciences. The union ministry of mines is engaged in these inter-governmental talks to sign memorandums of understanding, while the ministry of external affairs has tapped into relevant stakeholders to alleviate challenges arising from China's stranglehold over rare earth magnets, the minister's statement said. Rare earth magnets, essential to sectors like defence, electronics, clean mobility and renewable energy, have become a focal point of global strategic competition, with China holding a dominant position in their processing and trade. India has exported 18 tonnes of rare earth minerals over the last decade, the minister's written reply to Parliament said. It said India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, which are processed to make magnets used in key strategic sectors such as defence, electronics, renewable energy, and clean mobility. "Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 Mt resources of REE (rare earth elements) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects," the government said. It said the mines ministry has initiated talks with mineral-rich nations such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D'Ivoire as well as international organizations, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA). The ministry is also engaging with platforms such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). India's engagement with multilateral platforms is largely dependent on the US. The MSP is a US-led alliance of 14 countries, including India, and was set up in 2022 to secure critical mineral supply chains by reducing dependence on any one particular country. The IPEF is a similar US-led alliance of 14 countries, focusing on collaborative policies on trade, supply chains, clean energy, and decarbonisation. The iCET is a bilateral agreement between India and the US for collaboration in technology, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors. "Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium, rare earth elements, etc., are demand intensive due to their strategic uses in various sectors, viz., electric vehicles, renewable energy and defence," the government said. "In case of any further development in rare earth mineral exports to Japan, efforts shall be undertaken to mitigate the disruptions," the government statement said. India had suspended its rare earth mineral export to Japan after China halted export of magnets made of the same material, according to a Reuters report on 15 June, citing unnamed sources. Mint had reported on 7 July that Indian importers rushed to purchase permanent magnets, including rare earth magnets, at a premium from China, ahead of the export control order issued on 4 April.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India holds 8.52 million tonnes of rare earth oxide resources; no rare earth imports in last 10 years: Govt
New Delhi: India has identified a total of 8.52 million tonnes (MT) of in-situ Rare Earth Elements Oxide (REO) resources across multiple states, as the government pushes ahead with efforts to secure supply chains for critical minerals essential to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defence applications. According to data presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) has estimated approximately 7.23 MT of REO within 13.15 MT of monazite deposits found in coastal beach, teri/red sand, and inland alluvial zones across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Additionally, hard rock terrains in Gujarat and Rajasthan account for 1.29 MT of REO resources. Separately, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has reported augmentation of 482.6 MT of REE ore across 34 exploration projects using various cut-off grades. India has recorded no imports of rare earth minerals over the last 10 years, while exports have totaled 18 tonnes during the same period, the government informed the House. To meet rising demand and reduce dependence on external sources, the Union Cabinet on January 29, 2025, approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an outlay of ₹16,300 crore. The mission is expected to attract investments of ₹18,000 crore by public sector undertakings and will be implemented over seven years until FY 2030-31. It aims to strengthen India's end-to-end critical minerals value chain, from exploration and mining to processing, recycling and reuse. As part of the NCMM, ₹500 crore has been allocated for establishing mineral processing parks, ₹1,500 crore for incentivising mineral recycling from secondary sources, and ₹100 crore for pilot recovery projects. The mission will also support R&D institutions, startups, and MSMEs engaged in innovation across the critical minerals sector. In FY 2024–25, GSI has taken up 195 mineral exploration projects focused on critical and strategic minerals. For FY 2025–26, 227 such projects have been lined up. The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) has funded 195 projects so far. Additionally, 33 private exploration agencies are undertaking NMET-funded work. To expand access to critical minerals abroad, the Ministry of Mines established Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), a joint venture which has acquired 15,703 hectares for lithium mining in Argentina's Catamarca province. KABIL is also in regular discussions with Australia's Critical Minerals Office and has signed bilateral agreements with governments of Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Côte d'Ivoire. The Ministry is also actively participating in global mineral partnerships through platforms like the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the India-UK Technology and Security Initiative. To further secure supply chains, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 was amended in August 2023. The amendments removed six minerals from the list of atomic minerals and created a separate list of 24 critical and strategic minerals. The Centre has since been empowered to auction blocks and exploration licenses for these. A first tranche of offshore mineral auctions was launched in November 2024, covering 13 blocks including seven polymetallic nodule zones in the Andaman Sea. The first tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) auctions began in March 2025 for 13 blocks containing various critical minerals. To boost domestic processing capabilities, the government has eliminated customs duties on 25 minerals and reduced duties on two others. In Union Budget 2025–26, exemptions were extended to cobalt powder, lithium-ion battery waste, and 12 more critical minerals. The ministry of external affairs is engaged with foreign governments to address export restrictions on rare earth magnets and ensure uninterrupted supply chains for Indian industries.
India.com
20 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
JACKPOT for India as country has 8.52 million tonnes reserves of rare earth elements, they are located in these cities, names are...
JACKPOT for India as country has 8.52 million tonnes reserves of rare earth elements, they are located in these cities, names are... India has about 7.23 million tonnes of Rare Earth Oxide (REO), found in around 13.15 million tonnes of monazite, a mineral that contains both thorium and rare earths. These are mainly located in beach sands, red and teri sands, and inland river areas across several states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Apart from this, another 1.29 million tonnes of rare earths are present in hard rock areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. This information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh. He mentioned that the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), which works under the Department of Atomic Energy, is actively searching for more rare earth minerals across the country. Their work includes exploring coastal areas, river sands, and hard rock regions where these minerals are likely to be found. Discovery of 482.6 million tonnes of rare earth ore Jitendra Singh also revealed that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found about 482.6 million tonnes of rare earth ore through 34 different exploration projects across various parts of the country. He also mentioned that in the last 10 years, India has exported just 18 tonnes of rare earth minerals and hasn't imported any during this time. To address the challenges caused by export bans on rare earth magnets by certain countries, Singh said that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively working with other nations and international partners. India is continuing discussions at both bilateral (one-on-one) and multilateral (involving multiple countries) levels to boost cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including rare earth minerals and related technologies. These efforts are aimed at keeping supply chains stable and protecting the interests of Indian businesses that rely on these materials. The Ministry of Mines is taking major steps to ensure that India has a stable and secure supply of key minerals, especially Rare Earth Elements. These minerals play a crucial role in producing electric vehicles, clean energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines, and essential defence systems. To meet this need, the Indian government is forming strong ties with countries that have rich reserves of these minerals. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, titanium, and rare earths are in high demand because they are vital to many fast-growing industries. To support these sectors and keep the supply chain strong, the Ministry has also brought in several important policy changes and reforms.
