Minerals

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday launched nation's first-ever auction of Exploration Licences (ELs) for 13 exploration blocks for critical minerals. Reddy launched the ELs in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in Dona Paula near here, a major reform aimed to unlock India's untapped critical and deep-seated mineral resources. The licenses are for the exploration blocks for minerals like REE (rare earth elements), zinc, diamond, copper, PGE (platinum group minerals) and others. The programme also featured a roadshow on the 5th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks and the launch of AI Hackathon 2025, a Mineral Exploration Hackathon focused on Mineral Targeting using AI (Artificial Intelligence). Addressing the gathering, Union minister Reddy said that in the last 10 years, India's mining sector has achieved many milestones and emerged as one of the fastest and most dynamic sectors of the country. Today marks another milestone in the industry, he ..

Move is one of several planned for an executive order Trump could sign as soon as Wednesday after he told the US Congress last week he would 'take historic action'

With 22 major minerals and 36 minor ones, Rajasthan is the country's only producer of lead, zinc, wollastonite, selenite, calcite, and gypsum

The pursuit of minerals and fuel resources remains the driving force behind geopolitics even after the end of old-style colonialism

For Ukraine, leveraging its mineral wealth could yield economic gains - but only with strategic agreements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seeks security guarantees in any potential deal

Minister Reddy announced the deployment of 20 nodal officers in international locations that have the potential for critical minerals

Various reports have suggested that Ukraine has mineral deposits worth upwards of $10 trillion, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government has been keen to promote crucial materials

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he directed his ministers not to sign off on a proposed agreement to give the United States access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals because the document was too focused on US interests. The proposal, which was at the centre of Zelenskyy's talks with US Vice President JD Vance on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, did not offer any specific security guarantees in return, according to one current and one former senior official familiar with the talks. Zelenskyy's decision to reject a deal, at least for now, was described as short-sighted by a senior White House official. I didn't let the ministers sign a relevant agreement because in my view it is not ready to protect us, our interest, Zelenskyy told The Associated Press on Saturday in Munich. The proposal focused on how the US could use Kyiv's rare earth minerals as compensation for support already given to Ukraine by the Biden administration and as payment for fut

Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said Ukraine was willing, adding that he wants equalisation from Ukraine for Washington's close to $300 billion in support

Consulting firm Deloitte India has welcomed the government's approval to Rs 16,300-crore National Critical Mineral Mission stating that it is well-timed and signals a commitment to strengthen energy security in the face of global uncertainties. "The Cabinet's approval of the National Critical Mineral Mission, accompanied by a significant financial outlay, is a major step forward for India's energy security. Given the country's vulnerability to geopolitical shifts surrounding critical minerals, this mission addresses a key area of concern. It is a well-timed and highly welcome move by the government," Rakesh Surana, Partner, Deloitte India, said in a statement. What stands out most about this initiative is its holistic approach that covers the entire value chain. The focus is not just on the exploration of critical minerals, but also on crucial elements such as processing and recovery from end-of-life products, he said. "This multi-faceted approach will likely drive significant ...

Coal India Ltd (CIL) has set its sights on Argentina as a destination in its strategic diversification into critical minerals, with a focus on lithium brine assets, an official said on Sunday. Recognising the economic significance and strategic value of minerals like lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and others, the Maharatna company has initiated steps to explore opportunities in key resource-rich nations such as Argentina, Australia and Chile. "The state-owned mining behemoth has invited expressions of interest (EoI) from experienced consultants to conduct technical due diligence on lithium brine assets in Argentina," a senior Coal India official told PTI. The selected consultant will undertake due diligence, an initial review process to assess the financial, strategic, and geological viability of the identified assets, he said. Lithium brine is a concentrated salt solution that contains dissolved lithium and other minerals. Lithium is in great demand for its use in ...

In recent years, the number of fatalities has come down as the government has cracked down on illegal rat hole mining

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical mineral blocks in the fourth round due to poor response. While no bids were received for four blocks, the remaining seven mines got less than three technically qualified bidders, according to the annulment notice. The four blocks which include tungsten and glauconite, are located in the states of Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh. "Since there were nil bids received....the auction process for four mineral blocks stands annulled," the notice said. Critical minerals, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earths, play crucial roles in the production of clean energy technologies, ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicles. "Since there were less than three technically qualified bidders...the auction process of these seven mineral blocks stands annulled," the notice said. The government had earlier cancelled the auction of three critical mineral blocks in the third round, 14 blocks in the second round, and 14 in

India is set to kick off a national mission for the critical and strategic minerals sector as the country looks to propel its journey towards green energy transition and boost electric vehicle manufacturing capacity. While much of 2024 was spent in doing ground work, the next is poised to be a landmark year for India's mineral and mining sector. As the world races to secure vital minerals for renewable energy and emerging technologies, India gears up to take the centre stage with the launch of its much-touted Critical Mineral Mission in 2025. This mission, a bold and collaborative effort, will unite ministries, industries, R&D institutions, and global think tanks in a shared vision to secure a sustainable supply of the minerals that power tomorrow's world. With a series of high-profile roadshows abroad along with plans to acquire critical mineral assets in Australia, India is set to woo international investors and make its mark on the global mining map. Mines Secretary V L Kantha .

The latest awards follow a second-round auction held after the initial round failed to attract sufficient interest, as the government mandates at least three technically qualified bids per block

Revised conversion factor would apply to new mining leases granted following the notification

India remains highly dependent on imports for minerals critical to accelerating its energy transition, with a full reliance on shipping in lithium, cobalt and nickel, according to a report released Monday. The report, published by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), said that India's demand for critical minerals is expected to more than double by 2030, while domestic mining operations may take over a decade to start producing. It stresses that India needs a carefully crafted import strategy to mitigate potential trade risks while balancing international relationships to secure these essential minerals. IEEFA's report examines five critical minerals (and their compounds) cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium and nickel from the perspectives of import dependency, trade dynamics, domestic availability, and global price fluctuations. The findings show that India remains largely import-dependent for these minerals and their compounds, with 100 per cent impor

India and the US are negotiating a pact to enhance collaboration in essential critical minerals, and the issue will figure during the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Washington this week. At the invitation of the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Goyal will undertake a visit from September 30-October 3. The commerce ministry said, in a statement on Sunday, that Goyal and Raimondo will also discuss steps to expand and diversify critical minerals supply chains between India and the US. "The two sides are negotiating a MoU which intends to enhance bilateral collaboration to increase and diversify essential critical mineral supply chains and leverage their complementary strengths," it said. Critical minerals, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earths, play a crucial role in the production of clean energy technologies, from wind turbines to electric cars. They are particularly in demand for the production of batteries for electric cars. Goyal

The Minerals Security Finance Network seeks to promote collaboration between the Indo-Pacific region and Europe, ensuring a secure, sustainable, and diversified supply of critical minerals

Partnerships between the US and China at universities over the past decade have allowed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to aid Beijing in developing critical technology that could be used for military purposes, congressional Republicans asserted in a new report. The report said US tax dollars have contributed to China's technological advancement and military modernization when American researchers worked with their Chinese peers in areas such as hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology and semiconductor technology. The report, released Monday by Republicans on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Education and Workforce Committee, raised concerns over the national security risks of collaborations between researchers from the two countries that were once celebrated. It urged stronger safeguards and more robust enforcement. The committees conducted a yearlong investigation as lawmakers and their policy advise