New Delhi, Mar 26: India is ramping up exploration of critical minerals, fostering a startup-driven mining ecosystem, and strengthening domestic value chains to cut reliance on imports, said Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Addressing the Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMET) at the GPOA Complex, Dr. Singh outlined key priorities to accelerate mineral exploration, enhance domestic capacity, and expand participation in the critical minerals sector.
The meeting, co-chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines and NMET Chairman G. Kishan Reddy, was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Mines, the CSIR–Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, the Atomic Minerals Directorate, state government representatives from Rajasthan, Telangana, and Maharashtra, and exploration agency officials.
Dr. Singh emphasized aligning exploration, particularly for lithium and other critical minerals, with global demand and India’s strategic needs. He cited ongoing projects in the Siwana belt (Rajasthan) and Salal–Haimna block (Jammu & Kashmir) and called for expanding indigenous exploration to additional potential zones.
Highlighting the importance of a conducive ecosystem, he urged support for startups and private companies, similar to the biotechnology sector, through targeted incentives, institutional backing, and technology handholding. Strengthening Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs), improving access to finance and technology, and ensuring faster project approvals were identified as essential measures to boost private participation.
The Minister also stressed streamlining forest clearances, procurement systems, and pre-exploration approvals to maintain momentum. He suggested engaging local representatives, including MPs and state legislators, in exploration areas to build awareness and ensure smoother project implementation.
Dr. Singh further highlighted the development of domestic supply chains, including processing and value addition, with ongoing initiatives in Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat aimed at positioning India prominently in global mineral markets. International collaboration for advanced technologies was also encouraged while maintaining a focus on indigenous innovation through institutions like CSIR–IMMT and the Department of Atomic Energy.
Reviewing NMET operations, Dr. Singh discussed annual plans, project approvals, funding support, and mechanisms to improve efficiency, stressing innovation, pilot projects, and community engagement. G. Kishan Reddy noted that critical minerals are key to India’s growth and called for faster auctions and increased state and private sector involvement.
Senior Ministry of Mines officials provided updates on NMET initiatives, including progress on exploration projects, startup engagement, and measures to enhance coordination and operational efficiency.