The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) was initiated in 2025 with the aim of creating a strong foundation for self-sufficiency in the critical mineral industry

Critical minerals play a vital role in clean energy technologies, including solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems. To ensure the long-term availability and processing of these resources, India has initiated the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM).

The objective of the NCMM is to create a strong framework that promotes self-sufficiency in the critical mineral sector. As part of this initiative, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been assigned the responsibility of executing 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-25 to 2030-31.

In November 2022, a committee established by the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals, with 24 of them listed in Part D of Schedule I of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957). The Union Government now holds exclusive rights to auction mining leases and composite licenses for these designated minerals.

What are Critical Minerals?

Critical minerals are crucial for a nation's economic growth and national security. Their limited availability or concentration in specific geographic areas can create vulnerabilities in the supply chain.

Uses of Critical Minerals

Energy Security & Clean Transition: Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for renewable energy systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

Support for India’s Goals: Achieving 50% of electric power from non-fossil sources by 2030, reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, and increasing wind energy capacity from 42 GW to 140 GW by 2030.

Advancement of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Storage: These minerals are critical for the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are fundamental to EVs and energy storage systems, thereby reducing India's reliance on imported oil. This aligns with the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.

Economic Development & Job Creation: The mining, processing, and research and development of critical minerals can:

• Attract both domestic and foreign investments.
• Generate employment opportunities in exploration, engineering, refining, and technology sectors.
• Strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups within the clean technology value chain.

National Security: Essential minerals such as rare earth elements, titanium, and tungsten are utilized in various sectors, including:

• Defense (missile systems, stealth aircraft, radar technology)
• Electronics (telecommunications, semiconductors, satellites)

These minerals help reduce strategic vulnerabilities by decreasing reliance on imports.

Infrastructure and Digital Economy Foundation: Minerals like silicon, gallium, and indium are crucial for:

• Semiconductor production
• 5G and 6G technologies
• Smart grids, smart cities, and initiatives for a digital India

IREL (India) Limited: This significant public sector enterprise operates under the Department of Atomic Energy and plays a crucial role in India's critical minerals supply chain. With an annual processing capacity of 600,000 tonnes, it manufactures vital beach sand minerals, including ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, and garnet. The company runs a Rare Earth Extraction Plant in Chatrapur, Odisha, and a Rare Earth Refining Unit in Aluva, Kerala, thereby contributing to the domestic processing of rare earth elements (REEs).

International Engagements:

• KABIL-CAMYEN Agreement (Argentina, 2024): Focused on lithium exploration across 15,703 hectares.
• Memorandum of Understanding with Australia’s Critical Minerals Office (2022).
• Ongoing discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding cobalt and copper.
• Strategic collaborations with countries in Africa, Latin America, and ASEAN for secure sourcing.

Challenges:

• Geopolitical Risks: Reliance on imports from China, DRC, and South America poses risks.
• Insufficient Domestic Processing Capacity: India currently lacks advanced technologies for REE separation.
• Limited Private Investment: The mining sector encounters regulatory and financial barriers to entry.
• Environmental Concerns: Mining and refining activities can adversely affect local ecosystems.
• Recycling Ecosystem: The recycling sector remains underdeveloped and lacks scale.

Way Forward:

Enhance domestic exploration and encourage private sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPP).

Establish long-term strategic alliances with mineral-rich nations.

Increase research and development efforts and promote recycling to create a closed-loop mineral economy.

Focus on skill development and capacity-building for technologies specific to critical minerals.