National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: The Print
Context: The Union Cabinet, has approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an expenditure of ₹16,300 crore and an additional ₹18,000 crore investment from PSUs.
About National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM):
• What is the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)? The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a strategic initiative designed to ensure India’s self-reliance in critical mineral resources. These minerals are vital for renewable energy, electronics, and defense manufacturing, reducing import dependency and fostering industrial growth.
• The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is a strategic initiative designed to ensure India’s self-reliance in critical mineral resources.
• These minerals are vital for renewable energy, electronics, and defense manufacturing, reducing import dependency and fostering industrial growth.
• Key Details:
• Ministry: Ministry of Mines Announced In: Union Budget 2024-25 Budget: ₹34,300 crore (₹16,300 crore from the government + ₹18,000 crore from PSUs & private sector) Objective: Strengthen India’s supply chain for critical minerals through domestic exploration, overseas asset acquisition, and technological innovation.
• Ministry: Ministry of Mines
• Announced In: Union Budget 2024-25
• Budget: ₹34,300 crore (₹16,300 crore from the government + ₹18,000 crore from PSUs & private sector)
• Objective: Strengthen India’s supply chain for critical minerals through domestic exploration, overseas asset acquisition, and technological innovation.
• Aims of NCMM:
• Accelerate Domestic Exploration & Mining: Expand critical mineral exploration within India, including offshore reserves. Regulatory Reforms: Fast-track mining approvals for seamless extraction and processing. Strategic Global Partnerships: Facilitate acquisition of mineral assets abroad by PSUs and private players. Infrastructure Development: Establish mineral processing parks and promote critical mineral recycling. Encourage R&D & Innovation: Support research in advanced mineral processing technologies and set up Centers of Excellence.
• Accelerate Domestic Exploration & Mining: Expand critical mineral exploration within India, including offshore reserves.
• Regulatory Reforms: Fast-track mining approvals for seamless extraction and processing.
• Strategic Global Partnerships: Facilitate acquisition of mineral assets abroad by PSUs and private players.
• Infrastructure Development: Establish mineral processing parks and promote critical mineral recycling.
• Encourage R&D & Innovation: Support research in advanced mineral processing technologies and set up Centers of Excellence.
• Key features of NCMM:
• Comprehensive Value Chain Development: Covers exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recycling of critical minerals. Financial Incentives: Offers monetary support for exploration and sustainable mineral recovery. Stockpile Strategy: Develops a national reserve of critical minerals for long-term security. Industry Collaboration: Encourages PSUs and private firms to invest in global mining projects. Legislative Backing: Strengthened by 2023 amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
• Comprehensive Value Chain Development: Covers exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, and recycling of critical minerals.
• Financial Incentives: Offers monetary support for exploration and sustainable mineral recovery.
• Stockpile Strategy: Develops a national reserve of critical minerals for long-term security.
• Industry Collaboration: Encourages PSUs and private firms to invest in global mining projects.
• Legislative Backing: Strengthened by 2023 amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
• Some critical minerals covered under NCMM: The mission prioritizes minerals essential for renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and defense applications, including:
• The mission prioritizes minerals essential for renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, and defense applications, including:
Mineral Name | Industry Used In
Lithium & Cobalt | EV batteries, electronics
Graphite & Nickel | Battery storage, alloys
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) | High-tech manufacturing, defense applications
Titanium & Tungsten | Aerospace, industrial applications
Vanadium & Molybdenum | Steel production, energy storage solutions
Insta links:
• Analysis-critical-minerals-and-India-Africa-cooperation