NEWS – National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)  was Launched by the Government of India in 2025.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Aims to boost self-reliance in the critical minerals sector.
• Supports India’s clean energy transition and net-zero goals.
• Aligned with climate targets:
  • Net-zero emissions by 2070
  • 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (from 2005 levels).

What are Critical Minerals?

• Essential for modern technologies, clean energy, and national security.
• Prone to supply chain risks due to geographical concentration.
• Criticality is dynamic, based on technological and market demand.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

• 30 critical minerals identified by a Ministry of Mines committee (2022).
• Includes minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, REEs, and Graphite.
• 24 minerals added to Part D of Schedule I of the MMDR Act, 1957.
  • Grants exclusive auction powers to the Central Government.
• Establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Critical Minerals (CECM) for ongoing policy advisory.

Key Institutions Involved

• Geological Survey of India (GSI): Leading exploration as per UNFC classification and MEMC Rules, 2015.
• Department of Atomic Energy: Identified 1,11,845 tonnes of REE oxide in Rajasthan.
• IREL (India) Ltd: Specializes in processing beach sand minerals and operating rare earth extraction facilities.

International Cooperation

• KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) signed MoUs for overseas mineral acquisition:
  • With CAMYEN SE (Argentina) for lithium over 15,703 hectares.
  • With Australia’s Critical Minerals Office for lithium and cobalt projects.
• Key global producers: Chile, China, Indonesia, Congo, Australia, South Africa.