The Ministry of Mines has undertaken significant initiatives to address India’s strategic mineral requirements, notably constituting a committee to identify and recommend critical minerals for the country. Among the committee’s proposals was the establishment of a National Institute or “Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals” (CECM) to periodically update and strategize the country’s critical mineral framework.
What are Critical Minerals?
Critical minerals are natural resources that are deemed essential for various industrial, technological, and defense applications but are also characterized by a high risk of supply disruption. These minerals play a crucial role in the functioning of modern economies due to their significance in manufacturing a wide range of products across diverse sectors.
Several factors contribute to a mineral being categorized as critical:
- Strategic Importance: They are vital for the functioning of key industries like aerospace, defense, renewable energy, electronics, and telecommunications.
- Limited Global Availability: These minerals might have limited global reserves or uneven geographical distribution, making their supply vulnerable to disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, trade policies, or natural disasters.
- Technological Significance: They possess unique properties that are irreplaceable in specific technological applications, making substitutes challenging to find.
- Economic Impact: Supply disruptions of critical minerals can significantly impact various industries, affecting production, supply chains, and economic stability.
Initiatives and Collaborations for Mineral Acquisition
In line with recommendations of Committee , Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL), a joint venture company formed by three Central Public Sector Enterprises, aims to ensure a consistent supply of critical minerals to the domestic market. KABIL has initiated collaborations with source countries such as Argentina and Australia, facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassies, to acquire mineral assets overseas, focusing primarily on critical and strategic minerals.
Legislative Amendments and Auctions
The Central Government amended the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957) to include 24 critical and strategic minerals in Part D of Schedule-I. This amendment empowers the government to auction mineral blocks, with the first tranche of auctions for 20 blocks launched on November 29, 2023.
Here’s the list of critical mineral blocks:
| Sl No | Block Name | State | Mineral | ML/CL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chutia-Nauhatta Glauconite Block | Bihar | Glauconite | CL |
| 2 | Pipradih-Bhurwa Glauconite Block | Bihar | Glauconite | CL |
| 3 | Genjana Nickel, Chromium and PGE Block | Bihar | Nickel, Chromium, and PGE | CL |
| 4 | Kundol Nickel and Chromium Block | Gujarat | Nickel & Chromium | CL |
| 5 | Muskaniya-Gareriatola-Barwari Potash Block | Jharkhand | Potash | CL |
| 6 | Dudhiasol East Nickel and Copper Block | Odisha | Nickel and Copper | ML |
| 7 | Babja Graphite and Manganese Block | Odisha | Graphite and Manganese | ML |
| 8 | Biarapalli Graphite and Manganese Block | Odisha | Graphite and Manganese | ML |
| 9 | Akharkata Graphite Block | Odisha | Graphite | CL |
| 10 | Vellakal Central (Segment-A) Molybdenum Block | Tamil Nadu | Molybdenum Ore | CL |
| 11 | Nochchipatti Molybednum Block | Tamil Nadu | Molybdenum Ore | CL |
| 12 | Velampatti North A & B Molybdenum Block | Tamil Nadu | Molybdenum Ore | CL |
| 13 | Kurunjakulam Graphite Block | Tamil Nadu | Graphite | CL |
| 14 | Iluppakudi Graphite Block | Tamil Nadu | Graphite | CL |
| 15 | Mannadipatti Central Molybdenum Block | Tamil Nadu | Molybdenum | CL |
| 16 | Marudipatti (Central) Molybdenum Block | Tamil Nadu | Molybdenum | ML |
| 17 | Kurchha Glauconite Block | Uttar Pradesh | Glauconite | CL |
| 18 | PahadiKalan – Gora Kalan Phosphorite Block | Uttar Pradesh | Phosphorite | CL |
| 19 | Salal-Haimna Lithium, Titanium, and Bauxite Block | UT: Jammu and Kashmir | Lithium, Titanium, and Bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) | CL |
| 20 | Katghora Lithium and REE Block | Chhattisgarh | Lithium and REE | CL |
List of India’s Critical Minerals
As per the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act,1957 (MMDR Act, 1957), 24 minerals have been identified as critical and strategic minerals for India. Here’s a list of these critical minerals:
| 1. Antimony | 2. Bauxite | 3. Bismuth | 4. Boron | 5. Chromite | 6. Cobalt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7. Graphite | 8. Lead | 9. Lithium | 10. Magnesite | 11. Manganese | 12. Nickel |
| 13. Phosphorite | 14. Potash | 15. Rare Earth | 16. Scandium | 17. Tantalum | 18. Titanium |
| 19. Tungsten | 20. Vanadium | 21. Gallium | 22. Germanium | 23. Hafnium | 24. Indium |
| 25. Palladium | 26. Platinum | 27. Selenium | 28. Tellurium | 29. Thallium | 30. Zirconium |
Research and International Collaborations
Under its ‘Science and Technology Programme,’ the Ministry of Mines offers grants for research and innovation in mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, and recycling sectors. A significant focus area includes extracting strategic and critical minerals at the elemental level. Additionally, the Ministry actively engages in Mineral Security Partnerships and bilateral/multilateral collaborations to ensure India’s critical mineral demands are met.
Conclusion: Forging Pathways to Mineral Security
India’s endeavors in identifying, acquiring, and securing critical minerals underscore the nation’s commitment to self-reliance and resource sufficiency. Through legislative amendments, collaborative ventures, and focused research initiatives, the Ministry of Mines is carving pathways towards bolstering the country’s mineral security and resilience in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Source: PIB
