Critical Minerals Mission: Mr G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Coal & Mines, Govt of India, today called for a decisive shift from resource dependency to value creation in critical minerals. He added that India is positioning itself as an attractive destination in the global critical minerals landscape to secure its strategic and economic future.
Import Dependence to End: ₹32,000 Cr National Critical Minerals Mission Gains Momentum
Addressing the second edition of ‘Indian Critical Minerals Landscape: Foundation for a Sustainable Future – Empowering Innovation, Growth & Self-Reliance’, organised by FICCI, jointly with the Ministry of Mines, Govt of India, Mr Reddy highlighted that India is currently 95 per cent dependent on imports of critical minerals and underscored the urgency of building a resilient, self-reliant ecosystem across exploration, extraction, processing, recycling and advanced manufacturing.
The government is working in Reform Express mode for the critical minerals sector to reduce import dependence and boost domestic production. “Central government, along with state governments, and all stakeholders, are committed to working in unity to accelerate reforms in the critical minerals sector,” he emphasised.
The Minister added that 9 Centres of Excellence (CoE) have been identified to bolster R&D, innovation and skill development in the sector. Mr Reddy also stated that work has commenced under the National Critical Minerals Mission with an outlay of Rs 32,000 crore. “Over 4,000 critical mineral exploration activities have already been initiated across the country. We are strengthening the entire value chain, from exploration to advanced processing, to ensure India converts its resource potential into a strategic advantage,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister urged industry stakeholders to invest in advanced technologies, urban mining, recycling and global asset acquisition to ensure India’s emergence as a trusted and self-reliant leader in the global critical minerals ecosystem. The government, he stated, is also supporting the industry by exempting import duty on the import of raw materials for critical minerals and for this, a separate fund has been created. To further boost the sector, the government is supporting the National Mineral Exploration Trust, he added.
Global Partnerships, Overseas Mineral Assets to Strengthen India’s Strategic Mineral Push
The Minister further announced that production of permanent magnets will begin by the end of this year with PLI scheme of Rs 7,280 crore. “4 states – Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Gujarat, have been identified for establishing Critical Minerals Processing Units to boost domestic value addition and reduce import dependence. Additionally, 143 coal mines have been identified under Mine Closure Activities, to be completed by 2028, with a focus on sustainable transition and resource optimisation.
The government is working to further strengthen global partnerships for overseas asset acquisition for mineral exploration, which reflects the growing international confidence in India’s mineral strategy and opens significant opportunities for collaboration, added Mr Reddy.
Mr Ed Jager, Minister (Commercial), High Commission of Canada in India, while highlighting the importance of international collaboration and resilient supply chains, emphasised on global collaboration. “Critical minerals are now strategic assets shaping the global economy. Canada intends to be a stable and responsible partner for India as we deepen cooperation across exploration, processing and resilient supply chains.”
Mr Kishore S, Senior Member, FICCI Taskforce on Critical Minerals and COO, Hindustan Zinc Ltd said, “Critical minerals have moved from the periphery to the core of India’s national strategy. The reforms under the National Critical Minerals Mission and transparent auction mechanisms send a strong signal of India’s long-term commitment. Industry stands ready to partner with the government to build an integrated and globally competitive ecosystem.”
FICCI Launches Global Critical Minerals Assets Portal to Boost Strategic Access
Ms Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI said, “As we move towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, the role of natural resources, particularly critical mineral has become increasingly important to serve the manufacturing and downstream industries, which is aligned with the principle of Atmanirbhar Bharat.’’
Speaking on the industry’s role, Mr Pankaj Satija, Co-Chair, FICCI Mining Committee and Executive Vice President, JSW Group, remarked, “This is not just a policy moment but a mission moment. Industry must work in ‘Sankalp mode’ alongside the government to build domestic value chains across exploration, processing and recycling, ensuring India’s long-term mineral security.”
During the summit, the Minister unveiled the FICCI Portal on Global Critical Minerals Assets, a comprehensive knowledge platform providing data on global mineral blocks, exploration status, ownership and resource estimates.
The FICCI-Deloitte Report on Critical Minerals, outlining policy recommendationsathways to stren and strategic python India’s critical minerals ecosystem, was released during the event.
The summit witnessed strong participation from industry leaders, global partners and policymakers, who deliberated on accelerating domestic exploration, strengthening processing capabilities, leveraging advanced technologies, including AI, building innovative financing models, and forging resilient international partnerships to secure critical mineral supply chains.
