The National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) in India was established to secure the supply of critical minerals essential for the country’s economic growth and strategic needs . The mission aims to enhance domestic exploration, production, and processing capabilities for these minerals .
Key Objectives and Features:
- Ensuring Supply Security: To reduce dependence on imports and ensure a stable supply of critical minerals .
- Boosting Domestic Production: To enhance exploration and extraction activities within India .
- Promoting Research and Development: To foster innovation in processing and refining technologies .
- Attracting Investment: To create a conducive environment for attracting private sector investment in the critical minerals sector .
- Strategic Partnerships: To collaborate with other countries to secure access to critical minerals .
- Identifying Critical Minerals:
- The mission focuses on identifying and prioritizing critical minerals based on their economic importance and supply risk .
- These minerals are crucial for various sectors, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, defense, and manufacturing .
- Exploration and Mining:
- The mission supports exploration activities to discover new mineral deposits .
- It promotes sustainable mining practices to minimize environmental impact .
- Processing and Refining:
- The mission aims to develop domestic processing and refining capacity to add value to extracted minerals .
- It encourages the adoption of advanced technologies for efficient and environmentally friendly processing .
- Policy and Regulatory Framework:
- The mission works to create a supportive policy and regulatory environment to facilitate the development of the critical minerals sector .
- This includes streamlining approval processes and providing incentives for investment .
- International Collaboration:
- The mission seeks to establish partnerships with countries that have advanced technologies and expertise in critical minerals .
- This collaboration aims to facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing .
- Implementation and Monitoring:
- The mission has a dedicated team responsible for implementation and monitoring of progress .
- Regular reviews are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the mission and make necessary adjustments .
- Recent Developments:
- In February 2024, the Indian government approved the National Critical Minerals Mission .
- The mission is expected to boost domestic exploration, production, and processing of critical minerals . In summary, the National Critical Minerals Mission is a strategic initiative by the Indian government to secure the supply of critical minerals, promote domestic production, and foster innovation in the sector. By reducing import dependence and building a robust domestic industry, the mission aims to enhance India’s economic and strategic resilience .
