Strategic Minerals

India, US ink pact to cooperate on critical battery mineral supply chains

Goyal, speaking at Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington after signing, described the MOU as a multi-dimensional partnership that would include open supply chains for materials

NLC India eyes critical mineral mining capacity of 1 MTPA by FY30

State-owned NLC India has said it is in the process of participating in the upcoming auctions of critical mineral resources and aims to achieve the annual capacity of mining one million tonnes of such materials by 2029-30. NLC India's core business include mining of coal and lignite as well as power generation. Having critical mineral capacity assumes significance amid increasing demand of these resources for a wide range of activities from semiconductor manufacturing to renewable energy projects, including those related to production of solar panels, wind turbines and advanced batteries for storage and transportation. "With the recent developments in renewable energy sector and the strategic importance of the critical minerals required for RE (renewable energy), we are in the process of participating in upcoming auctions and envision achieving a critical mineral mining capacity of 1.0 MTPA by 2029-30," the company said in its recent report. The company had earlier said that once i

Vedanta Nico inks pact for supplying nickel to US-based AEsir Technologies

Vedanta Nico, a subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd, on Monday said it has entered into a pact with US-based AEsir Technologies for the supply of nickel, a critical component for next-generation batteries. Nickel plays an important role in EV battery technology, particularly in the cathode, where it enhances energy density, power output, and battery lifespan. Nickel-rich batteries, such as nickel-zinc variants, offer fast charging, reduce reliance on cobalt, and improve the overall electric vehicle (EV) value proposition. The global demand for nickel in batteries is projected to reach 500,000 tonnes by 2025 from 150,000 tonnes in 2020 due to the expanding EV market adoption. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that the number of electric cars will rise from over 10 million in 2020 to 145 million by 2030, spurred by larger battery capacities, faster charging, and advancements in reducing cobalt use. "Vedanta Nico, India's primary nickel producer, has signed a strategic Memorandum

Govt puts 7 critical and strategic mineral blocks up for bid again

These seven blocks pertains to critical minerals such as Glauconite, Graphite, Nickel, PGE, Potash, Lithium, and Titanium and are spread across the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, UP and J&K

K'taka, Rajasthan begin exploration licenses' auction for critical minerals

Karnataka and Rajasthan have launched an auction of exploration licenses for critical and deep-seated minerals, according to an official statement on Thursday. Karnataka launched the auction of one block each of gold, copper and lithium while Rajasthan launched the auction of three blocks of rare earth elements, rare metal and potash minerals, it said. According to the Ministry of Mines, the two states launched the auction of exploration licenses on March 6. Exploration licence blocks are being auctioned for the first time in the country, it said. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, was amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, with effect from 17.08.2023, inter alia, to introduce new mineral concession of exploration licence for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals to further boost exploration and mining of critical and deep-seated minerals in the country. Critical and deep-seated minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, gold, silver, and copper are

Cabinet approves royalty rates for mining of 12 critical minerals

This completes the exercise of the rationalisation of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals

Vedanta, Jindal Power, Ola joins first tranche of critical minerals auction

Mining major Vedanta, Jindal Power and state-owned NLC India are among the players which participated in the first tranche of the auction of critical minerals, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. A total of 56 bids were received for 20 critical and strategic blocks put on auction in the first tranche launched in November 2023, the minister told reporters after the lunch of the second tranche of the auction of critical and strategic minerals. Around 180 enquiries came from interested parties and 56 bids have been received from companies like Vedanta, NLC, Shree Cement, Dalmia, and Jindal Power, he said. The list includes a number of EV players also like Ola Electric, he said. In the first tranche, 20 mineral blocks including lithium were put on auction. Of these 16 have been put up for grant of composite licence and four for grant of mining lease.

Govt amends to MMDR Act for royalty on 12 critical, strategic minerals

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the amendment in the MMDR Act to specify the royalty rate on 12 critical and strategic minerals, an official statement said. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Mines said in a statement. "The Union Cabinet... approved the amendment of Second Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) for specifying rate of royalty in respect of 12 critical and strategic minerals," the statement said. The 12 critical and strategic minerals are beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, gallium, indium, rhenium, selenium, tantalum, tellurium, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium, it said. This completes the exercise of the rationalisation of royalty rates for all 24 critical and strategic minerals, the Ministry said. The government notified the royalty rate of four critical minerals, namely glauconite, potash, molybdenum and platinum group of miner

China, in comic strip, warns of 'overseas' threats to its rare earth

It also banned the export of technology to make rare earth magnets, in addition a ban on technology to extract and separate rare earths

Critical, offshore mineral blocks set for auction in 2024: Official

Auctioning of critical mineral and offshore mineral blocks as well as giving exploration licences in 2024 are set to rejuvenate the country's mining sector that has the potential for a multiplier effect on economic growth. As the government focuses on self reliance, Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi told PTI, "every few months (in 2024) we will bring out a new batch of critical minerals for auction." Not just critical minerals, exploration of deep-seated minerals like gold and copper, as well as offshore areas are on the priority list. In November, the government launched the first tranche of e-auction of 20 mines of critical and strategic minerals. The blocks include copper, lithium, nickel and potash. A committee, set up by the mines ministry, had identified 30 minerals as critical and strategic, considering their economic importance and supply risk vis-a-vis India's priorities and future requirements for energy transition. Besides, a new Mineral Concession namely exploration licence

Centre allows notified pvt exploration agencies in mineral blocks auction

The mines ministry on Friday said it has permitted notified private exploration agencies to participate in the auction of critical and deep-seated mineral blocks explored by them. The development will attract bigger mining companies in the exploration arena and is likely to encourage junior mining companies from around the world to come to India and take up exploration projects with National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) funding. The ministry further said it has also launched a new scheme to directly sanction projects for exploration of critical and deep-seated minerals to notified private exploration agencies (NPEAs). This new scheme will help bring new technologies in the field of exploration. The decision to allow NPEAs to directly submit projects in Ministry of Mines will help cut delays in sanction of projects as well as fast-track execution of projects. The move aims at giving a fillip to exploration of critical and deep-seated minerals. "Ministry of Mines has launched a

Govt notifies 16 pvt exploration firms for critical, deep-seated minerals

In a bid to encourage private participation in exploration endeavours, the government will provide a financial incentive of up to 25 per cent of the approved cost of exploration

Mines ministry preparing policy for critical minerals to boost supply chain

The Mines Ministry is in the process of preparing a policy for critical minerals which will include a road map for strengthening the supply chain of these essential resources, an official release said on Monday. Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements are essential components in many of today's rapidly growing clean energy technologies from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles. "The strategy will also identify the responsibilities of different ministries of Government of India in ensuring the resilience of the supply chain of critical minerals," the Mines Ministry said in a statement. The ministry is also preparing a strategy for recycling of metals which will help to increase the recycling capability and streamline the recycling process and will also work with partner countries to co-develop mineral processing and raw material manufacturing capabilities. Apart from strengthening the domestic mechanisms, collaborati

Cabinet approves royalty rates for mining of Lithium, 2 other minerals

The Centre on Wednesday said it has approved royalty rates of 3 per cent each for lithium and niobium and 1 per cent for Rare Earth Elements (REEs). The decision on the royalty rates for the three critical and strategic minerals was taken by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to an official statement. The royalty rate approval by the Cabinet will enable the Centre to auction lithium, niobium and REEs blocks for the first time in the country, it said. "The Union Cabinet... approved amendment of Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) for specifying rate of royalty in respect of 3 critical and strategic minerals, namely, lithium, niobium and Rare Earth Elements," the Ministry of Mines said in a statement.

PM Modi warns of new colonialism model over control of critical minerals

China accounted for 70% of world mine production of rare earths in 2022 and is home to at least 85% of global processing capacity

Rajya Sabha passes Bill facilitating offshore mining and mineral auctions

The proposed legislation aims to unleash the untapped potential of India's offshore resources and enhance transparency in the allocation of minerals

Mining an opportunity: Firm, transparent laws key to attract investments

Recent laws opening critical minerals to private mining raise hopes that the lessons of privatisation of coal and iron ore have been learnt

Critical minerals supply could pull close to demand by 2030, says IEA

Clean tech minerals market surges to $320 billion in 2022

Heavy metal: Centre releases first ever list of 30 key critical minerals

Lithium, cobalt, and silicon among 30 minerals identified

India set to get its first list of critical minerals on Wednesday

The critical minerals list is likely to have more than 40 minerals