Mining Industry

US revives graphite mining amid battery boom, China trade tensions

Graphite mines in the United States largely closed down seven decades ago. Mining the ubiquitous mineral found in everything from nuclear reactors to pencils seemed to make little sense when it could be imported inexpensively from other nations, especially China. That view is changing now. Demand for graphite, a key material in the lithium-ion batteries that power everything from phones to electric cars, is surging as trade tensions with China persist. With federal officials concerned about the steady supply of a number of critical minerals, several companies have plans to mine graphite. In New York, Titan Mining Corp has mined a limited amount of ore from a deposit in snowy woods about 40 km from the Canadian border, aiming for commercial sales by 2028. Company officials believe the geopolitical winds are at their backs to sell graphite concentrate for high-tech, industrial and military uses. That could include heat-resistant coatings in factories, anodes in large lithium-ion ...

Centre proposes allowing captive miners to sell surplus mineral output

Draft mineral concession rules propose letting captive mine owners sell surplus output after meeting end-use needs, alongside steps to ease operations and promote deep-seated exploration

Centre asks states to impose complete ban on new mining leases in Aravallis

The Centre has directed states to halt new mining leases in the Aravalli range, citing environmental concerns, days after the Supreme Court defined the hills, leaving low-lying areas unprotected

Parliamentary panel slams states for delaying revised mining scheme norms

Standing committee flags incomplete DMF projects, uneven funds and weak oversight in PMKKKY

Govt likely to remove 50% cap on sales of coal from captive mines

Under the current provisions, captive mine operators are allowed to sell only up to 50 per cent of their annual coal or lignite output after meeting the requirements of their linked end-use plants

China's 5,600 m mining leap: Inside the world's highest unmanned site

China is developing the world's highest unmanned mine in Xinjiang, using driverless trucks to work safely at 5,600m, where low oxygen and rough terrain make human work risky

Govt proposes board approval, CCO nod for opening coal mines in draft rules

Under the proposed framework, companies engaged in coal mining must obtain prior approval from their Board of Directors before opening any mine, seam or section of a seam

Mines ministry notifies new royalty rates for 4 critical minerals

The Union Cabinet earlier this month approved rate rationalisation for the four minerals to boost domestic production and facilitate their auctions

Centre files curative plea in SC over states' right to levy mining cess

The Centre has approached the Supreme Court with a curative plea against the ruling that allowed states to levy a cess on mining lands, warning of international implications and strain on the federal

Patel Engineering gets ₹800 crore mining-related work order in Chhattisgarh

Patel Engineering has secured two projects worth around Rs 800 crore for mining related activities in Chhattisgarh. The company has received letter of intents from Saidax Engineers and Infrastructures. The total project value for both letter of intents combined is Rs 798.19 crore (excluding taxes), Patel Engineering said in a statement. Patel Engineering Ltd has received two Letter of Intents (LoIs) for the execution of excavation and associated works and transportation of coal at a project located at Jhiria West OCP of Hasdeo Area, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, for Coal India arm South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). Patel Engineering Managing Director Kavita Shirvaikar said: "The new projects come in addition to a robust tender pipeline of more than Rs 34,000 crores already bid and under evaluation." The company also looks to participate in business opportunities worth Rs 18,000 crore expected to come up for bidding before the end of this financial year, she said. Patel Engineerin

Cabinet greenlights ₹7,280 cr scheme for rare earth magnet manufacturing

The government has cleared a Rs 7,280 crore plan to build India's first integrated rare earth magnet supply chain, aiming for 6,000 tonnes annual capacity to support EVs, clean energy and electronics

Minecraft 2.0: AI-driven exploration reshaping India's hunt for rare earths

India is transforming how its hunts for copper, lithium, rare earths and more, using AI to shave years off exploration timelines and reshaping the push for critical mineral security

J&K has almost 1 billion tonnes of limestone reserves: GSI official

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has estimated that Jammu and Kashmir holds nearly one billion tonnes of limestone reserves, a senior central government official has said. Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Mines Sanjay Lohiya noted that the Union Territory also has significant potential for other key minerals, which the J&K government intends to explore and utilize for the benefit of the people of the region. Expressing satisfaction over Jammu and Kashmir becoming part of India's mineral block auction map with the launch of the first limestone block auction and roadshow here, the official said the Centre would extend full support to accelerate exploration, development and investments in the sector. Union minister G Kishan Reddy, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and his deputy Surinder Choudhary jointly launched the e-auction of seven limestone mineral blocks, covering about 314 hectares, across the districts of Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch here on Monday. "All

US EXIM to invest $100 billion to secure critical mineral supplies: Report

Trump had campaigned on a promise to increase US energy output and has sought to roll back energy and environmental regulations since taking office in January

BHP Group has made renewed bid approach to Anglo American: Report

Anglo American's market capitalisation is about $41.80 billion, while BHP's is around $132.18 billion, based on LSEG data.

The tough race for critical minerals continues despite viability fears

While the auction of mines has attracted high bids, just how many of these mines will actually be commercially viable remains to be seen

One dead, several feared trapped after stone quarry collapse in Sonbhadra

A 30-year-old mine worker's body was recovered from the rubble on Sunday morning from a stone quarry that collapsed here, a police officer said. Several more remain trapped under the rubble. Uttar Pradesh minister and local MLA Sanjeev Kumar Gond, who visited the spot in the Billi Markundi mining area after the collapse on Saturday evening, said "around a dozen labourers" might be trapped under the debris. Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Varanasi Zone, Piyush Mordia, said efforts are on to clear the debris. Police identified the deceased labourer as Raju Singh of Panari village of the same district. The ADG said clearing the rubble is taking time because it includes several heavy stones. Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Verma said that they were informed about the collapse at around 4.30 pm on Saturday at Obra Police Station. The caller said that several workers were buried under the debris after a portion of a stone quarry operated by Krishna Mining

No mining within 1 km of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that mining cannot take place within one kilometre of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, extending earlier directions to all protected areas

Govt approves rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals

The Union Cabinet approved rationalised royalty rates for graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium to encourage domestic mining and promote auctions of critical mineral blocks

Australian companies tap Indian partners amid critical mineral push

Pilot project in Jharkhand and Hyderabad tie-ups mark early gains as Australian mining technology companies eye local subsidiaries and Indian PSUs explore Queensland's mineral assets