NITI Aayog Committee on Critical Minerals

The second meeting of the National Critical and Strategic Minerals Committee was held at Singareni Bhavan, Hyderabad on February 26, 2026.

Objectives and Importance

• Focus on transforming India into a self-reliant nation in the critical minerals sector.
• Emphasis on collaborative action, policy support, and accelerated exploration.

Key Discussions and Statements

• Dr. D.K. Singh, former BARC scientist, chaired the meeting.
• Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti, CMD of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), highlighted initiatives to extract Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from coal seam overburden and clays, and minerals from fly ash in Singareni Thermal Power Plant.
• Committee members underscored the indispensable role of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements in sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, electronics, defence, and advanced manufacturing.
• Despite India having notable reserves of some critical minerals, limited exploration and mining activities result in heavy import dependence.

Recommendations and Action Plan

• Need for a coordinated national effort involving both public and private sector mining companies.
• Discussion included the current demand-supply scenario, exploration opportunities across various states, and potential policy support mechanisms.
• Role of government agencies and mining organizations was a focal point.
• R. Saravanabhavan, Deputy Advisor (Minerals) of NITI Aayog, emphasized time-bound actions for finalizing and submitting the Committee's report.

Participation

• Virtual participation by M. Prasanna Kumar, CMD of NLC India Ltd.