The “Critical Minerals Summit: Enhancing Beneficiation and Processing Capabilities” kicked off today at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The two-day summit, hosted by the Ministry of Mines and led by Secretary V L Kantha Rao, aims to encourage collaboration and innovation in the beneficiation and processing of critical minerals.
The event includes exhibition pavilions showcasing a variety of minerals from both terrestrial and marine sources, providing participants with a comprehensive view of the critical minerals sector.
In his opening speech, Secretary Rao stressed the importance of exploring and utilizing critical minerals to support India’s economic growth and clean energy objectives. He pointed to recent initiatives such as mineral block auctions to increase domestic exploration and production.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Ministry of Mines and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU creates a partnership among the Ministry of Mines, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and TERI. The collaboration will provide knowledge support in the field of critical minerals, which are vital for India’s economic development, national security, and transition to low-carbon energy.
The summit featured panel discussions on topics such as boosting India’s processing and beneficiation capabilities and expanding strategies for domestic and global markets. Discussions focused on the Ministry’s dedication to developing infrastructure for mineral processing research, such as the Indo-Australian Critical Minerals Research Hub at IIT Hyderabad.
During a technology session, private companies, research institutions, academia, the Geological Survey of India (GSI), and the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) showcased India’s potential and technology for processing and beneficiating critical minerals.
Dr Veena Kumari D., Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, concluded the day’s events by emphasizing the need for efficient processing technologies in light of global policy uncertainties. She highlighted India’s potential to lead in electric vehicles, energy storage, and other critical sectors, stressing the necessity of a robust domestic supply chain.
The summit continues tomorrow and aims to establish India as a global hub for critical mineral processing while advancing the country’s goals of becoming self-reliant and a globally competitive player in the critical minerals field.
