Mines Ministry Issues Guidelines for Centres of Excellence

17 Apr 2025 CW Team

The Ministry of Mines has today issued the guidelines for setting up of Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). This is in pursuance to a key pillar of the Mission, which is research and technology development in critical minerals.

Critical raw materials form the crucial supply chain for emerging sectors of clean energy and mobility transition, in addition to advanced technology and strategic sectors like electronics, defence, space, etc. In order to develop, demonstrate and deploy technologies in an end-to-end systems approach, it is essential to conduct R&D so as to reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). CoEs will identify, develop and implement extraction process and beneficiation technologies for a host of critical minerals from multiple sources and conduct directed R&D to reach TRL 7 / 8 pilot plant and pre-commercial demonstration and create a competency centre.

Under this new initiative, reputed academic/R&D institutions, as per eligibility prescribed, will be evaluated and recognized as CoEs for R&D in critical minerals. CoEs will undertake innovative and transformational research to strengthen and advance the nation’s science and technology capability in the area of critical minerals. CoEs will aim at undertaking cutting edge research and promoting inter-/multi-disciplinary approaches to problem solving in critical minerals domain.

A CoE will operate as a consortium, on a Hub & Spoke model, to leverage R&D in critical minerals and pooling the core competence of each constituent under one umbrella. The CoE (Hub Institute) will bring in at least two industry partners and at least two R&D/ academic partners in the consortium.

As part of the process to recognize CoEs, the Ministry will call for proposals from eligible institutes shortly.

News source: PIB

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..