NITI Aayog and TEXMiN, or Technology Translation Research Park, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, have signed a Joint Statement of Intent to strengthen cooperation in India’s critical and strategic minerals sector. The agreement supports the National Critical Mineral Mission and the broader objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

The partnership will focus on developing indigenous technological capabilities, promoting research and innovation, and strengthening critical mineral value chains. It is intended to improve the resilience and sustainability of supply chains while reducing technological dependence in strategic mineral resources.

NITI Aayog Member Gobardhan Das highlighted the role of critical minerals in national security, technological self-reliance and the country’s Viksit Bharat 2047 goals. He said policy and industrial efforts needed to move beyond a mine-centric model and cover exploration, processing, refining, advanced materials and recycling as part of an integrated value chain.

The collaboration will also examine the recovery of critical minerals from secondary resources, including coal fly ash, red mud, mine tailings and electronic waste. Das stressed the importance of converting research outcomes into commercially viable technologies while maintaining sustainable resource utilisation and stronger links between research institutions and industry.

The Joint Statement of Intent covers collaborative research and technology development, technical and strategic studies, policy and institutional support, capacity building, and knowledge exchange. The initiative will bring together government institutions, academia, research organisations and industry to improve technology translation and coordination. A symposium accompanying the agreement included policymakers, researchers, technology developers and industry representatives, who discussed measures to strengthen India’s critical minerals and rare earths ecosystem.