India Launches National Critical Mineral Mission for Self-Reliance

Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey announced India's strategy to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals during an industry roadshow in Raipur. The centerpiece of this effort is the National Critical Mineral Mission, a seven-year program spanning 2024-25 to 2030-31 designed to secure domestic industrial and clean energy supply chains.

The mission involves a proposed government expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore, with an additional Rs 18,000 crore in expected investments from stakeholders and Public Sector Undertakings. To further reduce import dependency, the Union Cabinet sanctioned a Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme to expand the domestic recycling of lithium-ion batteries and electronic waste, targeting an annual capacity of 270 kilo tons.

These initiatives align with India's broader climate objectives, which include reducing GDP emissions intensity by 45 percent by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. Dubey described the Raipur event as a roadshow intended to facilitate dialogue between participating entrepreneurs and government officials.