Minerals

The exploration programme in Zambia was set to run for three years, after which New Delhi had planned to invite private sector companies to participate, subject to securing mining rights

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday said that the Centre aims to reduce dependence on imports and make the country 'atma nirbhar' (self-reliant) in the minerals sector. Speaking at a roadshow organised by the Mines Ministry on the 7th Tranche Auction of critical mineral blocks and Tranche-2 Exploration Licence, he said the union government's top priorities are to make the country benefit from the mineral wealth and increase employment generation. "I would like to say on behalf of the Centre. The government does not not work for revenue in the mineral sector. It takes major steps to make the country atma nirbhar in the mineral sector," he said. Observing that there are a lot of opportunities for extraction of critical minerals in urban mining and coal gasification in the future, he urged the private sector to work together with PSUs, state governments and others. Union Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal said during FY 2025-26, a record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned

Experts say unlocking bauxite resources and building downstream linkages can reduce imports, boost industrial growth, and create jobs in mineral-rich states like Odisha

Govt proposes easing exploration norms to fast-track auctions of felspar, mica and quartz, while retaining stricter rules for critical minerals

Policy aims to build domestic processing capacity for critical minerals, reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chains for EV batteries and manufacturing

New rules allow inclusion of contiguous areas and associated minerals in leases, aiming to boost exploration, improve efficiency, and enhance critical mineral production

Cites infrastructure push, industrial expansion and welfare gains in Utkal Divas message to chief minister

The Centre on Wednesday directed all states to expedite ongoing exploration projects, ensure faster approvals and improve coordination to significantly reduce exploration-to-auction timelines, a move aimed at bolstering the nation's critical minerals security amid global supply chain disruptions. Mines minister G Kishan Reddy also stressed the need to adopt advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, drone-based surveys and modern beneficiation techniques, to increase efficiency and success rates in mineral discovery. The minister also stressed the greater inclusion of startups, private exploration agencies and innovation-driven institutions, in line with the vision of Startup India, to bring new ideas and cutting-edge solutions into the exploration ecosystem. Reddy chaired the 7th governing body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration & Development Trust (NMEDT), held here in the august presence of Minister of State for the Department ..

Hindustan Power has secured an LoI for a platinum group elements block in Madhya Pradesh, marking its entry into critical minerals exploration and diversification

Coal minister urges states to check retail profiteering amid rising prices during the West Asia crisis; Centre launches seventh tranche of critical mineral auctions

State plans to auction 25 major and nine critical mineral blocks, including two gold-bearing assets, as it steps up exploration, production and revenue generation

Draft rules mandate strict surveillance, price disclosure and regulatory powers to cap prices and halt trading, aiming to formalise and bring transparency to mineral markets

The request for proposal seeks applicants to establish integrated Sintered NdFeB Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) units with a total capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA)

As demand for critical minerals surges with the clean energy transition, mining must adopt sustainable, technology-led practices to balance growth, environmental responsibility, community expectations

Centre discusses SOP for monazite handling, private participation as corridor plans move ahead

Surveys underway in coastal and inland regions to identify monazite deposits as the government pushes to strengthen domestic rare earth supply chains

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