India Eyes Strategic Advances in Critical Mineral Exploration

At a recent roundtable organized by Chintan Research Foundation, experts emphasized India's strategic need to enhance its domestic supply chain of critical minerals. Sandeep Kadam, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines, stated that critical minerals are now a global topic of concern due to their importance in fields like energy transition and artificial intelligence.

Kadam detailed the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission, aimed at strengthening India's entire value chain from exploration to recycling. The government has conducted an auction for 46 critical mineral blocks, marking substantial progress in domestic resource development. Additionally, KABIL has been set up to acquire mineral assets abroad, working in tandem with other public sector units to ensure resource security.

Ranjan Mathai, Former Foreign Secretary, linked the topic to national security, highlighting India's historical potential in mining. He urged policy reforms for faster exploration and better state-central collaboration. Sector leaders like Shivang Singh and Rahul Kanuganti praised recent government ease on private explorations and stressed the need for a complete critical mineral ecosystem to decrease dependency on imports.