Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 19 (ANI): India must intensify mineral exploration, embrace advanced beneficiation technologies, and guarantee complete utilization of extracted resources to enhance its standing in the global critical minerals race, industry experts stated at an event in Kolkata.
Balancing Economic Needs and Environmental Sustainability
Speaking to ANI, Ashim Kumar Mukherjee, Senior Technical Advisor at Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services Ltd (a Tata Enterprise), highlighted that the mining sector grapples with balancing economic necessity and environmental sustainability. He emphasized that mining is indispensable but acknowledged its environmental impact. “Balancing these two, newer technologies are emerging. That is why competition is always present,” Mukherjee said.
India's Dependence on Imports
Mukherjee noted that although India produces approximately 95 minerals, it remains reliant on imports for several critical minerals due to insufficient exploration and processing capabilities. “Unfortunately, in some minerals, India is not self-sufficient. Discovery of minerals requires extensive exploration, and we are lacking in exploration,” he added.
He stressed that exploration should be India's top priority, along with a focus on beneficiation and post-mining utilization. “If we produce one tonne of ore, that tonne should be fully utilized. Post-mining utilization of minerals has to be close to 100 percent,” he said, adding that the government must ensure companies achieve this.
Scientific Talent and Technological Capability
Professor Satish Sinha, Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian School of Mines, stated that India possesses the scientific talent and technological capability to become a major force in critical minerals extraction. “Rare earths are not rare; they are there. You need to know the heart of getting rare from there,” he said.
Sinha further noted, “Given the liberty by the government, we can very well come up in the name of beneficiation using technology, high-end technology, quantum technology, AI technology, and think of deriving materials not in percentage form, but in parts per million or parts per billion form.”
Call for Greater Investment
Sinha also called for greater investment in exploration and urged a broader approach to resource utilization, pointing out that materials traditionally classified as mining overburden could contain valuable critical minerals. “India is not doing enough. India must do much more to explore and also to see. They should develop an eye for detail in seeing minerals,” he added.
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