Policy Insights Drive Progress in India's Critical Minerals Sector

The 'Critical Minerals Summit: Enhancing Beneficiation and Processing Capabilities' concluded today in New Delhi on a note of strategic collaboration and policy insights, marking significant strides towards India's critical minerals objectives. The summit was organised by the Ministry of Mines in collaboration with the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (Shakti), Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and International Institute for Sustainable Development(IISD).

On the second and final day of the summit, panel discussion on policy incentives and the benefits of investing in India showcased a robust dialogue among stakeholders. Invest India presented the Critical Mineral Processing - opportunity in India, shedding light on fiscal and non-fiscal incentives available in the country. Leading mining states such as Odisha and Andhra Pradesh shared incentives provided by these states for the industry, underlining the nation's growth trajectory and state-level interventions to foster enabling infrastructure.

Emphasis was placed on a cluster-based approach to promote synergies in mineral extraction, refining and end-use, particularly in low-carbon technologies. The discussion underscored the importance of regulatory certainty, financing frameworks and ESG standards to attract investors. Panellists highlighted facilitation services offered by organizations like Invest India and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL), facilitating the establishment of processing and beneficiation capabilities in India.

Dr. Veena Kumari Dermal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, delivered the closing remarks, encapsulating the summit's key takeaways and future directions. She emphasized both domestic and international efforts to secure the critical mineral supply chain, enhance skill development in India and focus on critical minerals recycling. Dr. Dermal highlighted India's available processing technologies for these minerals and referenced amendments to offshore mining regulations.

The objective of the Summit was to equip government and industry stakeholders with the knowledge, connections and tools necessary to accelerate the domestic production of Critical Minerals, supporting India's economic growth and sustainability objectives. The Summit served as a platform for transformative dialogue and collaboration, setting the stage for further conversations for short listing the steps required to be taken for India's emergence as a global leader in critical mineral sector.