India Boosts Critical Minerals Exploration, Sets Strategic Goals

26 Jul 2023 CW Team

"In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, disclosed that during the initial four months of the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), the Geological Survey of India (GSI) took up a total of 122 critical minerals exploration projects. Over the past three years, the scientific agency had initiated 422 critical minerals exploration projects," said Joshi.

He further stated, "The Ministry of Mines has been prioritizing the exploration of these minerals across the nation through the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and other agencies."

The report highlighted that the number of exploration exercises reached a peak in FY23, with 123 projects being undertaken. However, this year's count of 122 ongoing projects is set to surpass the previous record significantly.

The government's focus on critical mineral exploration is aimed at bolstering its strategic resource security. Recently, the Union government unveiled its inaugural critical minerals list, which comprises 30 key minerals essential for the country's economic growth and technological advancement.

Among the listed minerals are 17 rare earth elements (REEs) and six platinum-group elements (PGE), each designated as critical based on their economic importance and limited availability in India's geological reserves. Notable minerals on the list include antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cobalt, copper, gallium, germanium, graphite, hafnium, indium, lithium, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, phosphorus, potash, rhenium, silicon, strontium, tantalum, tellurium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, selenium, and cadmium, all considered vital to the Indian economy.

To handle tasks related to strategic minerals, the government established a joint venture named Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) in 2019. The venture includes three public-sector undertakings, namely the National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Company, with a stake ratio of 40:30:30.

"The objective of KABIL is to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets of critical and strategic nature, such as Lithium, Cobalt, and others, to ensure supply-side assurance," explained the minister. He added, "KABIL is actively engaged with countries like Argentina, Australia, etc., to acquire critical & strategic mineral assets."

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, disclosed that during the initial four months of the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), the Geological Survey of India (GSI) took up a total of 122 critical minerals exploration projects. Over the past three years, the scientific agency had initiated 422 critical minerals exploration projects, said Joshi. He further stated, The Ministry of Mines has been prioritizing the exploration of these minerals across the nation through the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and other agencies. The report highlighted that the number of exploration exercises reached a peak in FY23, with 123 projects being undertaken. However, this year's count of 122 ongoing projects is set to surpass the previous record significantly. The government's focus on critical mineral exploration is aimed at bolstering its strategic resource security. Recently, the Union government unveiled its inaugural critical minerals list, which comprises 30 key minerals essential for the country's economic growth and technological advancement. Among the listed minerals are 17 rare earth elements (REEs) and six platinum-group elements (PGE), each designated as critical based on their economic importance and limited availability in India's geological reserves. Notable minerals on the list include antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cobalt, copper, gallium, germanium, graphite, hafnium, indium, lithium, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, phosphorus, potash, rhenium, silicon, strontium, tantalum, tellurium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, selenium, and cadmium, all considered vital to the Indian economy. To handle tasks related to strategic minerals, the government established a joint venture named Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) in 2019. The venture includes three public-sector undertakings, namely the National Aluminium Company, Hindustan Copper, and Mineral Exploration Company, with a stake ratio of 40:30:30. The objective of KABIL is to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets of critical and strategic nature, such as Lithium, Cobalt, and others, to ensure supply-side assurance, explained the minister. He added, KABIL is actively engaged with countries like Argentina, Australia, etc., to acquire critical & strategic mineral assets. See also: Mining Act tweak planned to push rare, critical mineral exploration Ministry of Mines announces record number of mineral blocks auctions

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..