India's critical mineral push needs smart policy, AI-led exploration: Experts

India is charting a path to global leadership in clean energy and advanced manufacturing through a strategic focus on critical minerals, emphasising technology, sustainability, and responsible mining practices. Chairman of the CII National Committee on Mining and CEO of Hindustan Zinc Ltd., Mr. Arun Misra, highlighted at the Indian Mining Summit 2025 that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and startups are transforming mineral exploration, reducing risks, and improving success rates. He stressed that India’s mining sector is shifting from traditional resources like coal and steel to critical minerals essential for the green economy, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths. He underscored the importance of ensuring environmental and social safeguards, with a focus on waste management, water efficiency, and community protection. These minerals are pivotal for sectors such as electric vehicles, solar energy, semiconductors, and electronics manufacturing, making a stable and diversified domestic supply crucial to reducing import dependence and geopolitical risks.

Member of NITI Aayog, Dr. Arvind Virmani, noted that a self-reliant critical minerals framework must start domestically, with infrastructure, industrial parks, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and backward integration supporting growth. He highlighted leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) with nations such as Australia, the European Union (EU), and the United States (US) to secure global value chain participation. Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Mining and MD, Mr. Thomas Cherian, and Co-Chairperson, CII National Committee on Mining and MD, Ms. Swati Salgaokar, outlined a four-pronged roadmap: government-industry collaboration, global partnerships, innovation-driven R&D, and inclusive community engagement. They stressed that Atmanirbhar Bharat complements global engagement, enabling India to build domestic champions in mineral processing and refining. With the National Critical Minerals Mission and policy reforms, India is positioning itself to secure its mineral future while driving sustainable industrial growth.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.