With the successful organization of the Budget Seminar on the National Critical Minerals Mission, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has taken an important step in reinforcing India’s global leadership in the green technology sector. This is a significant development in the country’s strategic quest to ensure access to critical minerals needed for economic growth and the transition to net-zero emissions.
This seminar was set against the backdrop of the Union Budget 2024-25, in which Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the National Critical Minerals Mission as part of India’s holistic approach toward achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat in the critical raw material space, which is essential to India’s green transition and economic development.
Dr. Veena Kumari Dermal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Mines, presented a comprehensive outline of the proposed National Critical Minerals Mission, focusing on strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring a continuous supply of critical minerals. These initiatives include enhancing domestic exploration, securing critical mineral assets abroad, implementing robust recycling mechanisms, and establishing sustainable frameworks for industries reliant on these minerals.
The seminar brought together senior leaders, innovative start-ups, policymakers, scientists, academia, and policy experts from the industry to discuss key areas such as incentivizing domestic exploration and production, managing international trade and stock of critical minerals, and ensuring effective recycling of these materials. The discussions emphasized targeted research and development, skilling initiatives, and production-linked incentives to support the recycling of critical minerals, promoting an integrated approach to securing India’s mineral needs.
The insights and strategies developed during the seminar are expected to play a pivotal role in guiding the successful implementation of the National Critical Minerals Mission, ensuring that India meets its objectives of self-reliance and sustainable growth in the green technology sector.
