A parliamentary panel has underlined the need for seamless coordination among ministries to strengthen India’s self-reliance in critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt and rare earth elements, which are essential for a technology-driven global economy.

In its report, the Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel said the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with its strong focus on self-reliance, offers significant potential to secure sustainable supply chains for critical minerals and enhance India’s industrial competitiveness. However, the committee cautioned that these efforts could fall short without effective coordination among stakeholders.

The panel recommended that, alongside the Ministry of Mines, which is leading the drive, all relevant ministries, state governments and agencies should work in close alignment to ensure the country remains competitive in the critical minerals sector. It stressed that a coordinated approach is essential given the strategic importance of these resources.

The committee noted that critical minerals are vital for national development and security, but their supply remains vulnerable due to limited availability and concentration in a few regions globally. These minerals are widely used across sectors including electronics, telecommunications, transport, defence and energy, making self-reliance in the mineral sector crucial for economic growth and technological advancement.

The report said the future global economy will be driven by technologies that depend heavily on minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt and rare earth elements. In this context, the committee acknowledged the steps taken by the government to boost domestic mineral production and strengthen self-reliance.

It appreciated the government’s decision to identify 30 critical minerals, with 24 included in Part D of Schedule I of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. This classification grants the Central Government exclusive authority to auction mining leases and composite licences for these minerals. The committee also noted that the Ministry of Mines has introduced several policy measures to improve ease of doing business in the sector.