Minerals

Following on a preliminary pact on critical minerals that Japan and India signed last year, Tokyo has expressed interest in the Rajasthan deposits and plans to send experts to the site

Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), headquartered in Nagpur, has achieved a major breakthrough in exploration of rare earth elements and critical minerals after it found eight significant strategic minerals in its six mines in Maharashtra, an official said on Friday. Talking to PTI, a senior official said the WCL found these minerals in its six Open Cast (OC) mines -- Adasa UG (underground) to OC (open cast), Makardhokra-III, Durgapur OC, Gauri-Pauni, Mungoli-Nirguda, and Yekona I & II -- recently. The analysis found economically significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals of Potash (K), Tellurium (Te), Titanium (Ti), Lanthanum (La) and Cerium (Ce), Rhenium (Re), Selenium (Se) and Zirconium (Zr), he said. Potash (K) has strong potential for fertiliser and agro-chemical applications and Tellurium is essential for solar photovoltaic cells, semiconductors, and thermoelectric devices. Titanium has huge potential for aerospace, defence, pigments, and ...

South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, has identified seven mine dumps for potential extraction of rare earth elements, a top company official said. SECL's initiative aligns with the government's push to unlock value from coal mine waste. Trace rare earth elements (REEs) have been detected in overburden dumps across major coalfields, potentially reducing import dependence. SECL Chairman and Managing Director Harish Duhan said the tendering process for exploration has already begun, with plans to scientifically assess the dumps within the next year to pinpoint viable sites. "Under the guidance from the ministry of coal, we have identified seven mine dumps for rare earth elements extraction. We have started the tendering process and within a year or so we will identify which area, which mine dumps, overburden carry rare earth elements," Duhan told PTI. He added the company will conduct detailed scientific studies to determine the presence and economic ..

India has joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative, expanding cooperation on AI, critical minerals and resilient supply chains as part of a broader effort to strengthen economic security

India joins US-led Pax Silica coalition at AI Summit in Delhi, strengthening cooperation on critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence supply chains

India joined Pax Silica at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, becoming part of a US-led push to build reliable supply chains for AI and key minerals needed for future industries

Four states identified for mineral processing parks as India prepares to begin rare-earth magnet production; Canada seeks joint ventures across critical minerals value chain

Speaking at a conference organised by Ficci and Ministry of Mines here, Reddy highlighted the government's push under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to reduce import dependence

Plans refining push in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; lithium recycling capacity to rise to 300,000 tonnes in five years; magnet recycling capacity to increase 100-fold in two years

Government offers 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated minerals across eight states under Exploration Licence regime to boost domestic mineral exploration

Bids close for extraction project as Centre backs corridors in four states

Rajasthan's mines department targets over ₹10,000 crore revenue in FY26, stepping up recovery efforts after record collections and strong mining growth in FY25

India has expressed intent to import $500 billion worth of energy, minerals, technology products and aircraft parts from the US over five years under an interim trade agreement

Centre has rolled out new regulatory framework for offshore minerals, mandating real-time vessel tracking, digital transit permits, stricter export clearances to prevent illegal mining and transport

The US government has rolled out Project Vault, a $12 billion scheme to stockpile rare earths and critical minerals, aiming to shield American companies from global supply disruptions

Budget 2026-27 sharpens India's tax strategy to boost manufacturing, services, GCCs and digital infrastructure, while improving certainty and long-term investor confidence

I don't see a major push in expanding export markets in this Budget

Budget 2026 announces rare-earth corridors and waives customs duty on mineral processing equipment, aiming to cut import dependence and secure supply chains vital for EVs, renewable energy

The Centre has notified coking coal as a critical mineral to speed up mining, attract private investment, and cut India's heavy dependence on imports for steelmaking

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Washington in early February to attend the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, as India prepares to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative