NLC India Limited has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad TEXMiN to strengthen India’s capabilities in critical and strategic mineral exploration, beneficiation and advanced research. The collaboration aligns with the government’s National Critical Mineral Mission and aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imported critical minerals required for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and strategic industries.
Strategic Partnership to Support India’s Mineral Security
Through the collaboration, NLC India and TEXMiN will work together to develop advanced technologies and research solutions to meet India’s growing demand for critical and strategic minerals. The partnership will focus on several key areas, including exploration of critical and strategic minerals, participation in auctioned mineral blocks, acquisition of mineral assets in India and overseas and research on rare earth elements (REEs) from secondary sources such as overburden, lignite, coal and mine tailings. By strengthening domestic mineral exploration and resource development, the initiative aims to support India’s long-term industrial growth and energy transition goals.
Focus on Rare Earth Elements and Sustainable Resource Recovery
A major focus area of the partnership will be research on extracting rare earth elements and trace minerals from secondary and underutilised resources. This includes recovering valuable minerals from mining waste, overburden material and lignite deposits. Such efforts are expected to improve resource efficiency while supporting sustainable mining and circular economy practices in the mineral sector.
Collaboration to Drive Mining Innovation and Technology Development
The MoU also aims to accelerate innovation in India’s mining and mineral processing sector. Under the partnership, both organisations will work on advanced mineral exploration technologies, improved beneficiation and extraction processes, research on rare earth and trace elements, sustainable mining practices and knowledge sharing and technical collaboration. TEXMiN will contribute scientific expertise, advanced research capabilities and innovation support, while NLC India will bring extensive operational experience in mining and resource development.
Supporting India’s Clean Energy and Manufacturing Goals
The collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s strategic mineral supply chain and support emerging sectors such as clean energy, electric mobility, electronics and advanced manufacturing. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, as global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the partnership between NLC India and IIT(ISM) TEXMiN marks an important step toward enhancing India’s self-reliance in mineral resources and securing long-term raw material availability for future technologies.
