India, Australia Explore Enhanced Cooperation in Critical Minerals Processing

05 Jul 2024 CW Team

India and Australia are deepening their strategic partnership in the domain of critical minerals processing. Both nations seek to enhance their cooperation to ensure a stable supply of these essential resources crucial for various high-tech industries.

The initiative comes amidst global concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities and the need for diversified sourcing of critical minerals. India, which has been actively pursuing self-reliance in critical minerals, views Australia as a pivotal partner due to its abundant mineral resources and advanced processing capabilities.

The collaboration aims to leverage Australia's expertise in sustainable mining practices and advanced processing technologies. This partnership could potentially reduce dependency on other global suppliers, ensuring more reliable access to critical minerals essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technological applications.

According to officials, discussions have included plans for joint ventures in critical minerals processing facilities, aimed at bolstering supply chain resilience. This move aligns with India's broader strategy to secure long-term access to key resources while promoting sustainable mining practices and value addition within the country.

Both nations recognize the strategic importance of critical minerals in achieving their economic and technological goals. The cooperation is expected to not only strengthen bilateral ties but also contribute to global efforts towards sustainable and resilient supply chains in the critical minerals sector.

Infrastructure Transport

12 Mar 2026

Kavach 4.0 Commissioned on Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah

"Kavach version four has been commissioned on 1,452 route km, covering the high density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah corridors. The rollout included laying 8,570 km of optical fibre, installation of 1,100 telecom towers, deployment of trackside equipment over 6,776 RKm and establishment of 767 station data centres. Trackside implementation has been taken up on 24,427 RKm covering Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal and High Density Network sections. The programme aims to strengthen signalling and train protection on key routes.Kavach is an indigenously developed automatic train protecti..

Railways Advance Kalyan–Murbad Line And Mumbai Capacity Expansion

"Indian Railways is advancing multiple rail infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, including the sanctioned Kalyan–Murbad new line and sizable investments under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project. The Kalyan–Murbad 28 km new line has been sanctioned at Rs 8.36 billion (bn) on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Government of Maharashtra and has been declared a Special Railway Project for land acquisition; proposals covering 214 hectares are at various stages of acquisition. Budgetary outlay for projects falling fully or partly in Maharash..

Parliamentary Panel Flags Funding Gaps in Heavy Industries

"The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry (Rajya Sabha) presented its 332nd report on the Demands for Grants 2026-27 of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Figures converted from crore and lakh are expressed in million (mn). The Budget Estimates 2026-27 for the Ministry stand at Rs 79,399 mn against a projected requirement of Rs 94,843.2 mn, a shortfall of about 16 per cent, with revenue at Rs 79,370.8 mn and capital compressed to Rs 28.2 mn from Rs 5,020 mn.The committee flagged recurring BE-to-RE compression and declining revised estimate utilisation, and calle..