The government approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on January 29, 2025, with a budget of ₹163 billion for seven years (FY 2024-25 to 2030-31). The initiative aims to ensure a sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen India’s mineral value chains through exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recovery from industrial waste and end-of-life products.
Harnessing Advanced Technologies for Mineral Recovery
A key focus of the mission is recovering critical minerals from industrial waste, including tailings, overburden, fly ash, and red mud. To support this effort, the government has allocated ₹1 billion for pilot projects that will develop innovative mineral recovery methods. These projects will be implemented through collaborations between industry, academia, and research institutions, promoting technological advancements in mineral extraction.
Boosting Research and Innovation in Mining and Metallurgy
The ministry of mines is actively fostering innovation in mining and metallurgy by funding start-ups, MSMEs, and individual innovators under the S&T-PRISM initiative (Science and Technology – Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs). This initiative encourages the development of indigenous technologies for processing and extracting critical minerals, reducing reliance on imports.
Customs Duty Removal to Support Recycling Sector
As part of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government has eliminated customs duty on waste and scrap of critical minerals. This policy is expected to:
- Lower costs for secondary producers, making recycling more economical.
- Enhance competitiveness for Indian businesses in the global market.
- Boost exports of secondary and downstream mineral products.
Incentives for Domestic Recycling Infrastructure
To further strengthen the domestic recycling sector, the NCMM has allocated ₹15 billion to encourage the establishment of recycling facilities. These incentives will:
- Expand domestic recycling capabilities.
- Reduce dependency on imported raw materials.
- Strengthen India’s position in the global critical minerals market.
As reported by constructionworld.in, through these strategic measures, the NCMM aims to transform India’s mineral landscape, ensuring long-term sustainability, technological advancement, and economic growth in the critical minerals sector.
