Hyderabad, Feb 26 (TNT): The National Critical and Strategic Minerals Committee constituted by NITI Aayog on Thursday emphasised the need for coordinated action by public and private sector mining industries to strengthen India’s self-reliance in critical minerals.
The Committee held its second meeting at Singareni Bhavan here under the chairmanship of Dr. D.K. Singh and discussed the strategic importance of critical minerals for India’s economic growth, clean energy transition and technological advancement.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti, who is also a member of the Committee, reaffirmed Singareni’s commitment to the National Critical Mineral Mission.
He said the Committee would play a key role in identifying and developing domestic mineral resources to enhance resource security and reduce import dependence.
He informed that Singareni is exploring extraction of rare earth elements from overburden and clays in its opencast mines and is also working on recovering valuable minerals from fly ash and bottom ash generated at its thermal power plant as part of its sustainable mining initiatives.
The Committee noted that minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt and nickel are essential for sectors including renewable energy, electric vehicles, electronics, defence and advanced manufacturing.
Members observed that despite having reserves, limited exploration has resulted in continued dependence on imports and stressed the need to accelerate exploration, research and strategic partnerships.
NITI Aayog Deputy Advisor (Minerals) and Member Secretary R. Saravanabhavan said the Committee would take time-bound action to finalise its report and that the next meeting would be held at NLC India Limited next month.
Senior officials from Singareni and representatives from public and private mining companies and research institutions, including Coal India Limited, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation, Vedanta Limited, Hindalco Industries and Hindustan Zinc, attended the meeting.
TNT KS
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