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The National Critical & Strategic Minerals Committee, constituted by NITI Aayog, on Thursday called for coordinated action involving the Central, State governments, public sector undertakings and private mining companies to accelerate exploration.
The second meeting of the National Critical & Strategic Minerals Committee, constituted by NITI Aayog, was held at Singareni Bhavan here under the chairmanship of DK Singh.
Observing those critical minerals were central in supporting India’s long-term economic growth, clean energy transition and technological advancement, the committee said minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, cobalt and nickel were essential for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, electronics, defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
While India possessed reserves of certain critical minerals, limited exploration and mining activities had led to continued import dependence. With demand projected to rise significantly, the Committee called for coordinated action involving central and state governments, public sector undertakings and private mining companies.
There was a need to accelerate exploration, strengthen research and development, and foster strategic partnerships to harness the country’s untapped mineral potential, the panel members said in their deliberations.
SCCL
Buddhaprakash Jyoti, Chairman and Managing Director of Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) and Member of the Committee, said SCCL was commitment to the National Critical Mineral Mission.
The company was exploring the extraction of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from overburden and clays in coal seams of its opencast mines, he added.
Efforts are also underway to recover valuable minerals from fly ash and bottom ash generated at the Singareni Thermal Power Plant. “These initiatives reflect SCCL’s commitment to sustainable mining and responsible resource utilisation,’’ he said, according to a release.
Published on February 26, 2026
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