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India's Critical Minerals Boom: 235 Projects Completed Amid Green Energy Push

India has dramatically accelerated its critical minerals exploration program this year. The Geological Survey of India completed 235 projects, nearly four times more than just six years ago. This push comes as the country focuses on becoming self-reliant in minerals crucial for green energy transmission. The government is adopting new exploration methods to locate deep-seated deposits as surface resources become increasingly scarce.

Key Points: India Completes 235 Critical Minerals Projects Geological Survey

  • Government completed 235 critical minerals projects this year, up from 65 in 2020-21
  • Focus on deep-seated deposits as surface mineral resources dwindle
  • New exploration methods replacing traditional surface-evidence based approaches
  • Critical minerals essential for India's green energy transition goals
2 min read

Govt has completed 235 projects on critical minerals this year, up nearly four-fold in six years: Geological Survey of India DDG

India quadruples critical minerals projects to 235 this year, accelerating exploration for green energy transition and reducing import dependency on strategic resources.

"Critical minerals and rare earth minerals are very important for green energy transmissions in the country - Siladitya Sengupta, Geological Survey of India"

New Delhi, November 13

The Government of India has completed 235 projects on critical minerals, which are way high against 2020-21 completion of 65 projects in the country, Siladitya Sengupta, Deputy Director General PSS:P&M Geological Survey of India told ANI today.

New Delhi [India], November 13 (ANI): The Government of India has completed 235 projects on critical minerals, which are way high against 2020-21 completion of 65 projects in the country, Siladitya Sengupta, Deputy Director General PSS:P&M Geological Survey of India told ANI today.

Talking on the sidelines of Energy Security Conference 2025 in New Delhi, he said on the sidelines of the Energy Security Conference 2025. " Critical minerals and rare earth minerals are very important for green energy transmissions in the country...To become self reliant in the mineral sector, exploration activities increased manifold. In recent years, thrust is on critical and strategic minerals."

He said this while talking on the initiatives after amendment of MMDR Act that refers to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, a law in India that regulates the mining sector and provides for the development and regulation of mines and minerals under the control of the Union government. It was amended in 2015, making e-auction the mandatory method for granting mineral concessions to increase transparency.

To accelerate exploration in the country, geological survey of India using two pronged approach. First by facilitating the exploration ecology and accelerating GSI's own exploration program, he said.

Giving details about the exploration of deep seated and concealed deposits and need of the hour, he said exploration for deep seated an concealed deposits becomes crucial and there are dwindling surficial deposits, easy access, near surface non-bulk, high- grade deposits are largely exploited.

There are plans to replace traditional surface-evidence based by conceptual model based exploration, he added.

He also said that GSI had handed over 35 geological memorandum blocks to the Ministry of Mines under the OAMDR Act 2002(amended in 2023).

India has huge potential in rare earth minerals and need to focus on processing capabilities, he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great progress but I hope this doesn't lead to environmental degradation. We need sustainable mining practices that don't harm local communities and ecosystems.
A
Arjun K
Finally some positive news about our mineral sector! The e-auction system and transparency measures are much needed reforms. Hope this translates into more jobs and economic growth.
M
Meera T
As someone working in the renewable energy sector, I can't stress enough how important critical minerals are for our solar and EV industries. This accelerated exploration is exactly what we need!
D
David E
The focus on deep-seated deposits shows forward thinking. Traditional surface mining was becoming unsustainable. Good to see scientific approaches being adopted.
S
Siddharth J
While the numbers look impressive, I hope the quality of exploration matches the quantity. We need proper geological assessments and not just rushed projects for statistical achievements.

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