Union Minister Jitendra Singh called for an acceleration of lithium exploration in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, highlighting the initiative's potential to significantly boost India's mining economy. The statement came during the 6th Governing Body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) chaired by minister of coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy. Singh pointed out that NMET's funding of exploration activities reached nearly Rs.300 crore in the last financial year, underscoring the government's commitment to advancing the sector. The exploration work needs to be fast-tracked, and all the necessary support provided to meet the deadlines, Singh emphasized, signaling a push for substantial economic growth through enhanced mining operations. Mines Secretary V. L. Kanta Rao assured that efforts to explore lithium, a critical mineral for India's energy and technology sectors, would be expedited, with expected outcomes visible in the coming months. The meeting also focused on the integration of advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), to innovate and improve the mining sector. NMET will play a very important role in this Mission. I am happy that NMET is promoting critical mineral exploration and it has come up with schemes for exploration of these minerals by involving the private sector into the mining arena. This will boost the morale of the agencies and motivate them to work hard, Singh stated. The discussion also covered the need for effective data sharing between the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) to support the Critical Mineral Mission, aiming to streamline exploration activities across the country. The gathering saw participation from various state ministers and officials from the ministries of coal, petroleum, and other related sectors, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance India's mineral exploration capabilities and economic development through strategic partnerships and technological advancements.