The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has launched a new program called the National Critical Mineral Mission. This mission aims to help India rely less on foreign countries for important minerals that are needed for clean energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles (EVs).
The government has set aside ₹16,300 crore (about $2 billion) for this mission, with an additional ₹18,000 crore expected from state-owned companies and private investors. This plan aligns with the government’s earlier announcements in the Union Budget for 2024-25.
There are 24 key minerals identified in this mission, including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These minerals are not only vital for energy solutions but also for industries like electronics, defense, and transportation. For example, lithium is crucial for making batteries for electric cars.
The mission will focus on exploration (searching for minerals), mining (extracting them out of the ground), and recycling these minerals from old products. The government plans to make the rules easier for companies trying to start mining projects and will also encourage them to find and mine critical minerals abroad. Part of the mission includes creating processing parks and promoting research into better ways to handle these minerals.
The Mines and Minerals Act was updated to allow more exploration of these valuable minerals. Over the past three years, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been working on 368 projects to find these minerals, with 195 currently active.
In a step forward, a partnership called KABIL has secured land for lithium mining in Argentina. Plus, the government has removed customs duties on most critical minerals, which will help local businesses set up processing centers in India.
Recently, the environment ministry made it easier to get approvals for surveys and drilling in forests, speeding up mineral exploration. With the new mission and various government support, they aim to enhance the production and recovery of these crucial minerals, which will help India become a leader in clean energy technology.
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