India’s critical mineral push: Govt plans processing parks in 4 states
India is set to establish four specialized parks dedicated to critical mineral processing, targeting lithium and nickel first. The initiative, spearheaded by state governments with central technical assistance, is aligned with the National Critical Mineral Mission aimed at bolstering self-reliance. This move is crucial in propelling India’s transition toward green energy, ensuring a sustainable…
India's critical mineral strategy is moving forward, with the government planning to establish four specialized critical mineral processing parks in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra announced this on Thursday, emphasizing the focus on developing domestic processing capacity for lithium and nickel.
These two minerals were prioritized due to their significance in the battery sector, which is crucial for future growth. The government aims to fast-track lithium and nickel processing, with plans to introduce measures for these minerals shortly and identify the designated parks. Each park will encompass the entire value chain for its designated mineral, from processing to downstream industries, enabling value addition at various stages within a single location.
State governments will lead in planning and implementing the parks, while the Centre will provide technical support. The National Critical Mineral Mission, approved with a budget of Rs 34,300 crore over seven years, aims to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals and support India's green energy transition. The mission will also promote the exploration of critical minerals within and offshore of India, with the government allocating Rs 16,300 crore and expecting contributions of Rs 18,000 crore from public sector enterprises.
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